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XI  B  RAHY 

OF   THE 

U  N  IVLRSITY 

Of    1LLI  NOIS 

G  34.35" 
J73w 

CPLA 


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WINDOW  AND    PARLOR 
GARDENING 


<**/^-C*wAA^JJUC!0' 


Copyright,    /S95,  by 
Charles  Scribner's  Sons 


36" 
JT5w 


t?0  £/ioj£  wliode  c/icezful  jitcdencc  bzightend  a 
million  liotncj,  to  tlie  kind  and  enlightened 
GsQinezican  women,   tliid    woi/i  la  tedpectfuLLy 

dedicated  by 


kd/ic  cyQuthoz, 


449?? 


Introduction, 


TAGE 
I 


PART    I 

PROPAGATION   AND   CARE   OF   HOUSE   PLANTS 

I.    The  Plant, n 

II.    Appliances, 21 

III.  Soils  and  Manures, 23 

IV.  Propagation, 26 

V.    Potting, 3° 

VI.   Forcing, 3-1 

VII.    Watering, 36 

VIII.    Cleaning, 38 

IX.    Special  Windows  and  Terrariums 40 

X.    Frames  and  Pits, 44 

XI.    Light 46 

XII.    Temperature  and  Moisture, 47 

XIII.    Insects  and  Diseases, 49 


viii  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

XIV.    Decoration, 51 

XV.  Baskets,  Vases,  and  Window  Boxes,     ....       54 

XVI.  The  Veranda,  and  How  to  Adorn  It,     .        .        .  58 

PART    II 

THE   SELECTION   OF    HOUSE   PLANTS 

I.    On  Plant  Names, 63 

II.    Roses,  Carnations,  and  Chrysanthemums,       .         .  65 

III.  Fopular  Florist  Flowers, 69 

IV.  Cacti, 80 

V.    Other  Succulents, 84 

VI.  The  Lily  and  Amaryllis  Families,           ...           89 

VII.   Orchids, '       .        .        .        .93 

VIII.    The  Calla  Family 99 

IX.    The  Pine-apple  Family, 103 

X.    Palms, 106 

XL  Dracaenas,  Screw-pi xes,  and  Sago-palms,    .         .         .112 

XII.    Ferns  and  Mosses, 117 

XIII.  Miscellaneous  Flowering  Plants,        .         .        .         .122 

XIV.  Miscellaneous  Foliage-Plants,  ....         136 
XV.    Climbing  and  Trailing  Plants, 147 

XVI.  Plants  with  Ornamental  Fruit,      .        .        .        .         154 

XVII.  Bulbs  and  Hardy  Plants  lor  Forcing,        .         .         .     155 

Index, 159 


PAGE 

Plate  I.     Roots  and  Rhizomes,         .         .         .         .         .         .  13 

Plate  II.     Simple  and  Compound  Leaves,     .         .         .         .         .  15 

Plate  III.     Flowers  and  Inflorescence,     ......  17 

Watering  Can  with  Rose,     ........  21 

Scollay  Bulb, 21 

Plate  IV.     Cuttings, 27 

Wardian  Glass  Case  for  Propagation  and  for  Tender  Plants,     .         .  29 

Diagram  showing  Pot  Ready  for  Potting,     .....  30 

Terrarium,        ...........  41 

Bracket  with  Plant  of  Saxifraga  sarmeniosa,        .         .         .         .  52 

Window-Box,  .         .         .         .  .         .         .         .         .         -55 

Plant  Stand, 57 

Hanging  Basket,      .  .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         -53 

Carnation;    Dianthtis  caryophyllus  plains,  .....  67 

Tuberous-rooted  Begonia,         ........  70 

Begonia  setnperflorens  rosea  gigantca,  .                   ...  72 

Cineraria,  cruenta  variety,       ........  73 


x  ILL  USTRA  TIONS 

PAGE 

Chinese  Primula  ;    Primula  sinensis,  ......  74 

Persian  Violet ;    Cyclamen  persicum,         ......  75 

Gloxinia,      ...........  78 

Phyllocactus  Ackermannii,       .         ....         .         .         .         .         .82 

Crassitla  j'asminea,      •■•......  S4 

American  Aloe  ;  Agave  americana,          ......  87 

Amazon  Lily  ;    Eucharis  Amazonica,            .....  go 

Caltleya  Triana,     ..........  04 

Dendrobium  nobile,      .........  06 

Lycaste  Skinnerii,   ..........  07 

Lady's  Slipper ;    Cypripcdium  insigne, q8 

AntJuirium  aystallinum,         ........  on 

Alocacia,  macrohiza  fol.  var.,      .......  too 

Dieffenbackia,         .........  101 

Phyllotanium  Lindenii,      ........  102 

Tillandsia  splendens,       .........  104 

Areca  lutescens,  ..........  107 

Fan  Palm  ;  Livistona  sinensis,        .......  100 

Rhapis  flabelliformis,          .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .  IIX 

Dracena  terminalis  variety,     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .113 

Dracena  Regince,         .         .         .        .         .        .         .        .        ,  ITr 

Maiden-hair  Fern  ;   Adian turn  Far leyense 11S 

Aspidium  (Cyrtomium)  falcatum, no 

Pteris  argyrea,         ..........  121 

Streptosolon  Janicsonii,        ........  125 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 


Jacobinia  Ghiesbreghtiana, I3° 

Liiiiim  trigynum,         ......•••  I3I 

Aspidistra  lurida  fol.  varuga/a, J37 

Maranta  roseo-lineata,         .....••■  L39 

Rubber-tree  ;  Fit  us  elastica, T42 

Fictts  Parcclli,     ......••••  M3 

Sanchesia  nobilis,     ......••••  r45 

TAunbergia, T4§ 

Variegated  Ivy  ;  Hedera  algeriensis x49 

White  Passion  Flower  ;    Passiflora  car idea  alba,  .  .         •  I51 

Lance-leaved  Lily  ;    Liiiiim  lancifolium,  .         .         .  .  T 55 


INTRODUCTION 


I  HE  practice  of  growing  plants  in  windows  and 
apartments  is  one  of  the  most  rational  and  in- 
structive amusements  that  can  be  had. 

Unfortunately  this  simple  art  is  not  very  assid- 
uously cultivated  in  this  country.  Few  women 
here  take  the  same  interest  in  plants  as  do  their  sisters  of  the 
Old  World,  and  those  who  do  have  as  yet  had  no  opportunity 
of  gaining  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  subject  for  lack  of 
works  of  instruction. 

Still  there  is  hardly  a  home  in  the  whole  country  where  plants 
are  absolute  strangers,  for  most  people  make  attempts,  at  one 
time  or  another,  to  cultivate  plants  in  their  windows.  That  so 
many  discouraging  failures  are  made  is  not  owing  to  climatic 
conditions  or  other  natural  causes,  but  chiefly  to  a  bad  selection 
of  plants  and  a  want  of  knowledge  as  to  their  proper  treatment. 
Still  the  culture  of  most  plants  is  quite  simple.  Give  them 
sufficient  nutriment,  water,  light,  and  heat,  and  they  will  grow 
and  develop  without  much  other  attention. 

That  which  so  greatly  tends  to  make  a  home  pleasant  and 
cheerful  is,  therefore,  within  the  reach  of  all.  There  is  not  a 
laborer's  wife  so  poor  that  she  cannot  have  her  windows  full 
of  flowers,  if  she  has  learned  or  will  learn  how  to  take  proper 
interest  in  such  things.     There  is  not  a  home  so  humble  that  it 


2  WIXDOW  AXD    PARLOR    GARDEXIXG 

cannot  be  made  noble  and  refined  by  the  use  of  plants  that 
can  be  grown  at  pleasure  for  next  to  nothing. 

In  Europe  this  fact  has  been  acknowledged  for  years,  ever 
since  the  Linnaean  era  opened  a  new  world  of  wonders  and  of 
beauty  to  everybody.  Now  millions  grow  plants  in  parlors  and 
windows  ;  the  countess  in  her  palace  tends  hers,  often  with  her 
own  hands  ;  the  peasant  wife  takes  no  less  interest  in  her  more 
humble  flowers.  This  branch  of  horticulture  has  become  a 
necessity,  and  is  especially  beneficial  in  thickly  populated  cities. 
To  introduce  a  bit  of  nature  into  the  house  itself  is  not  a  mere 
fad,  but  it  is  and  will  continue  to  be  an  important  factor  of 
culture  and  refinement. 

Botanical  gardens,  public  parks,  and  large  horticultural  estab- 
lishments have  done  much  to  make  flowers  and  plants  popular  ; 
but  in  so  peculiar  a  branch  of  horticulture  as  window-garden- 
ing, popular  guides  accessible  to  everybody  are  an  absolute 
necessity.  In  all  countries  except  America  numerous  books 
have  been  written  on  the  subject:  some  treating  exclusively 
of  plants,  with  brief  descriptions  and  briefer  cultural  notes  ; 
others  going  into  the  details  of  every  operation  connected  with 
window-gardening.  Of  necessity,  any  descriptive  list  of  plants 
had  to  contain  quite  a  number  of  species,  for  the  reason  that 
some  plants  were  grown  in  one  part  of  a  country,  others  in 
other  parts  ;  the  rich  cherished  the  more  costly  ones,  and  the 
poor  chose  varieties  easy  of  culture  and  rich  in  flowers.  Clearly, 
all  plants  enumerated  in  a  work  of  this  kind  cannot  be  grown 
together  in  one  apartment  or  one  house  ;  some  plants  love 
pure,  cool  air,  and  are  especially  suited  to  mountain  regions 
and  the  extreme  north  ;  others  enjoy  heat  and  moisture,  and 
may  be  cultivated  anywhere. 

Thus    it   happens   that  climatic   conditions  have    been    the 


INTRODUCTION  3 

greatest  barriers  to  the  progress  of  American  window-garden- 
ing. Plants  coming  from  high  altitudes,  from  snow-covered 
mountains  in  the  tropics,  such  as  the  Fuchsia  and  the  Calceo- 
laria, suffered  too  much  through  the  excessive  heat  of  summer  ; 
but  it  was  just  such  plants  introduced  from  Europe  that  were 
first  tried  in  this  country.  Little  by  little,  as  horticulture 
began  to  advance,  it  was  found  that  many  plants  considered 
tender  and  tropical  in  Europe,  and  for  that  reason  unavailable 
for  home-culture  there,  were  best  suited  to  the  American 
climate.  The  plants  grown  for  home  decoration  in  most  of 
the  States  are  of  a  different  type  from  those  grown  in  Europe. 
Except  in  mountain  regions  and  in  the  Northern  States,  the 
culture  of  many  Old  World  favorites  becomes  tedious  and 
unsatisfactory.     But  the  substitutes  are  not  to  be  despised. 

Palms  here  take  the  place  of  less  noble  plants.  Gorgeous 
flowers  of  tropical  origin  replace  the  more  modest  plants  of 
cooler  regions.  In  this  respect,  therefore,  America  has  the 
advantage  over  most  parts  of  Europe.  But  the  American 
house  offers  fewer  opportunities  for  growing  plants  than  most 
houses  in  Europe.  There,  especially  when  French  windows 
are  used,  the  window-sill  is  very  broad  and  gives  room  for 
quite  a  number  of  plants.  The  advantage  of  having  the  win- 
dow opening  outward  like  a  door  is  also  apparent.  Still, 
these  drawbacks  may  be  easily  overcome.  The  window-sill 
may  be  broadened,  brackets  can  be  provided  for  holding 
plants  of  many  kinds,  and  a  number  of  plants  may  be  grown 
with  the  greatest  of  ease  in  any  light  room,  on  flower-stands  of 
artistic  design.  The  American  house  offers,  however,  many 
advantages  unknown  in  Europe.  When  heated  by  means  ot 
steam  or  hot  air,  the  temperature  can  be  kept  more  uniform 
throughout  the  year.     The  climate  is  sufficiently  warm,  even 


4  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

for  tropical  plants,  for  at  least  six  or  seven  months  of  the  year, 
and  an  occasional  low  degree  of  heat  above  the  freezing  point 
does  not  injure  any  plants,  provided  the  mean  annual  tempera- 
ture is  sufficient.  In  well-built  stone  or  brick  houses  the  win- 
dows are  generally  deep  and  convenient  for  plant  culture. 
They  also  offer  better  facilities  for  placing  window-boxes  out- 
side in  summer,  a  method  universally  used  in  England,  and 
forming  one  of  the  prettiest  features  of  all  English  towns  and 
villages,  where  in  some  parts  every  window  has  a  box  of  luxu- 
riant foliage  and  flowering  plants.  But  every  house  can  be 
made  suitable  for  the  culture  of  at  least  a  kw  choice  plants. 

Growing  plants  can  be  used  in  many  ways  for  home  decora- 
tion and  nowadays  a  house,  if  ever  so  costly,  looks  poor  and 
tasteless  without  their  proper  use.  Mantel-pieces,  shelves, 
pieces  of  furniture,  stands,  tables,  and  cupboards,  all  offer  some 
suitable  place  for  ornamental  plants. 

Many  people  decorate  their  rooms  with  artificial  plants — 
senseless  caricatures  of  the  real  things.  It  can  only  be  said 
that  this  shows  an  extremely  bad  taste  and  a  hankering  after 
outward  show.  The  real  plant,  when  unfolding  leaf  after  leaf 
and  blossom  after  blossom  is  not  merely  a  beautiful  object,  it  is 
a  living  being  replete  with  interest;  for  it  is  not  only  the  form 
we  admire  or  the  color,  but  more  than  anything  the  mystery 
of  life,  the  wonderful  and  constant  changes  working  beneath 
our  eyes. 

Whether  plants  have  any  influence  on  the  health  of  persons 
living  in  rooms  where  they  are  grown,  or  not,  is  a  matter  of 
conjecture  only.  In  ordinary,  well-ventilated  houses  there  is 
no  need  of  plants  to  purify  the  atmosphere,  nor  is  there  any 
danger  to  be  apprehended  from  their  use.  Strong  odors, 
whether  arising  from  plants  or  other  sources,  may  be  injurious 


INTRODUCTION  5 

to  sensitive  persons,  but  very  few  flowers,  likely  to  be  cultivated 
in  a  dwelling-room,  are  as  strongly  scented  as  that. 

We  may  therefore  safely  conclude  that  plants  can  do  no 
injury  to  the  health  of  anybody  ;  but,  on  the  other  hand,  as  they 
brighten  the  home  and  give  diversity  and  interest  to  the  most 
lonely  place,  their  influence  for  good,  in  one  way  at  least,  is 
beyond  all  doubt. 

To  begin  in  the  right  way  always  saves  trouble  and  an- 
noyance in  the  end.  Cheap,  overgrown,  and  sickly  plants 
peddled  in  the  streets  are  expensive  at  any  price,  and  will  as  a 
rule  give  more  trouble  than  pleasure.  The  stock,  to  begin  with, 
should  be  absolutely  healthy,  whether  it  be  seeds  or  plants.  It 
is  far  better  to  spend  a  little  more  money  for  first-class  material 
than  to  buy  cheap  things  that  are  unsightly  in  the  beginning 
and  almost  sure  to  die. 

Many  soft-wooded  plants,  when  once  on  hand,  are  easily  in- 
creased, and  most  such  plants  should  be  frequently  renewed  by 
means  of  cuttings,  and  there  should  be  no  hesitancy  in  throwing 
away  old  worthless  and  unsightly  stuff. 

At  present  plants  of  all  kinds  are  comparatively  cheap. 
Even  Orchids,  the  noblest  of  flowers,  can  be  obtained  at  very 
•  low  prices,  considering  the  difficulty  with  which  they  are 
gathered  and  imported  from  far-away  countries.  Hundreds 
of  thousands  of  Palms  are  raised  annually  in  this  country  for 
home-decoration,  and  good  plants  of  the  best  kinds  can  be 
bought  for  very  little.  For  those  of  limited  means  there  are 
numerous  cheaper  but  not  less  beautiful  kinds  of  plants.  Many 
beautiful  plants  can  be  raised  from  seeds  or  grown  from  bulbs 
or  tubers  offered  for  sale  by  most  seedsmen. 

Very  little  work,  but  considerable  thoughtfulness  is  needed 
to  make  a  success  of  everything.      Cleanliness    is  very  impor- 


6  WINDOW  AND  rARLOR    GARDENING 

tant  in  the  treatment  of  plants.  Careful  watering  is  another 
thing  to  be  observed,  as  some  plants  evaporate  in  a  single  day 
a  quantity  of  water  many  times  their  own  weight.  These 
would  soon  wither  and  die  if  they  were  neglected  for  any 
length  of  time.  Anybody  interested  in  plants  and  watching 
their  silent  development  will  soon  learn  to  discern  their  need. 
Almost  imperceptible  changes  in  the  color  of  the  foliage  will 
tell  if  the  plants  need  more  nutriment,  or  if  they  need  more 
water  or  less.  Too  much  water  as  a  rule  brings  a  yellow  tint 
to  the  leaves;  insufficient  nutriment  will  cause  a  dull  appear- 
ance easily  perceived  by  an  experienced  eye.  Want  of  water 
may  bring  insects  or  stop  the  growth  of  an  otherwise  healthy 
plant. 

If  a  good  selection  is  made  a  constant  supply  of  flowers  can 
be  had  all  the  year  long.  The  most  suitable  ones  for  winter 
flowering  are  the  many  kinds  of  bulbous  plants  which  are  so 
easy  to  obtain  and  easy  to  force.  Hyacinths,  Narcissi,  Lilies, 
Lily  of  the  Valley,  and  others  equally  beautiful,  are  among  the 
best  flowers  to  be  had.  Then  again,  many  shrubby  plants 
bloom  either  constantly,  as  the  many  varieties  of  Begonia 
semper florens,  or  during  the  better  part  of  winter  as  many  kinds 
of  Orchids,  Begonias,  Chrysanthemums  and  other  florists' 
flowers.  The  spring,  summer,  and  autumn  flowers  are  abun- 
dant. In  early  spring  the  golden  Cytisus  opens  its  fragrant 
flowers.  The  many-colored  Azaleas  are  gay  with  blossoms. 
Cape  Heaths  continue  to  bloom,  and  Primulas,  Cinerarias,  and 
other  well-known  plants  are  at  their  best.  In  summer  suitable 
flowering-plants  are  very  numerous.  For  fall  and  winter, 
Chrysanthemums,  Roses,  Carnations,  and  Persian  Violets  can- 
not be  excelled. 

We  may,  therefore,  safely  say  that  there  is   no   pleasure  so 


LXTIWDUCTION 


profitable  and  instructive  as  the  simple  art  of  window  garden 
ing.     With  some  thoughtfulness,  judicious  selection  of  plants, 
light  and   proper  apartments,  and   the  glorious  climate  which 
nature  has  provided  for  us,  our  homes  need  not  lack  the  glad 
presence  of  green  foliage  and  fragrant  flowers. 


PART   I 

PROPAGATION   AND   CARE   OF 
HOUSE  PLANTS 


THE  PLANT 


OST  plants  familiar  to  us  grow  from  seeds. 
The  germ,  swelling  under  the  influence  of 
heat  and  moisture,  gradually  bursts  the  seed, 
the  little  root  descends  in  the  soil,  and  the 
primary  leaves  expand  in  the  air. 

Seeds  are  of  different  kinds  :  some  contain 
a  horn-like  substance  called  albumen,  in  which  the  germ  or  em- 
bryo lies  imbedded ;  others  are  entirely  filled  by  the  cotyledons 
or  seed-lobes  of  a  fully  developed  plant.  When  the  embryo  is 
very  small  and  the  albumen  fills  the  entire  seed,  the  germination 
is  generally  slow  and  more  uncertain  than  when  the  fully  devel- 
oped plant  has  merely  to  straighten  out  and  grow,  as  in  the 
common  maple.  The  baby  plants  derive  their  first  nutriment 
from  the  stored-up  matter  in  the  fleshy  seed-leaves  or  the 
abundant  albumen,  but  soon  assimilate  food  taken  up  in  the 
ordinary  way  from  soil  and  air. 

The  root,  gradually  branching,  penetrates  the  soil  in  all  di- 
rections, and  by  means  of  numerous  exceedingly  fine  hairs  just 
above  the  growing-point,  absorbs  nutriment  dissolved  in  water. 
This  nutriment  and  water  ascends  as  sap  to  the  leaves  where, 
under  the  action  of  heat  and  light,  it  is  assimilated  and  becomes 
available  as  food.  Roots  are  very  different  in  shape  and  qual- 
ity.     Some  are  almost  hair-like,  white  and  delicate;  others  are 


12  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

woody  or  fleshy.  Fleshy  roots,  as  the  root  of  the  common 
Dahlia,  serve  to  store  up  plant-food  for  future  use,  and  plants 
so  provided  for  are  generally  natives  of  dry  and  arid  regions. 
Aerial  roots  are  found  in  many  Orchids,  Ferns,  and  plants  of 
the  Pine-apple  family.  These  are  usually  fleshy  and  seldom 
branched ;  they  absorb  nutriment  from  the  moisture-laden 
atmosphere.  Roots  of  pot-plants,  if  over-fed  or  over- watered, 
are  apt  to  sicken  and  decay  ;  hence  a  thorough  drainage  and 
judicious  watering  are  absolutely  necessary  to  keep  such  plants 
healthy  and  vigorous. 

The  stem  is  herbaceous,  as  in  most  of  our  summer-flowers, 
or  woody,  as  in  trees  and  shrubs.  The  woody  stem  grows  year 
after  year,  increasing  in  girth  by  means  of  yearly  deposits  of 
wood  below  the  bark.  The  herbaceous  stem  is  annual,  pro- 
ceeding from  a  seed  or  from  a  perennial  root  or  an  under- 
ground stem.  The  rhizome  is  a  creeping  stem  generally 
growing  below  the  ground.  Rhizomes  are  often  mistaken  for 
roots,  but  the  difference  lies  in  the  fact  that  roots  produce  no 
buds.  All  underground  parts  of  a  plant  producing  buds  and 
shoots  are  therefore  stems.  The  Lily  of  the  Valley,  the 
Waterflag,  and  many  other  familiar  plants  have  fleshy  root-like 
stems.  Conns  and  tubers  are  short,  fleshy  stems,  not  unlike 
bulbs  in  appearance  and  serving  the  same  purpose,  but  differ 
by  not  being  composed  of  scales  and  layers  as  are  all  bulbs. 
Gladiolus  and  Crocus  are  common  examples.  In  Cactus  and 
other  succulent  plants,  the  stem  becomes  very  thick  and  fleshy, 
and  is  generally  leafless.  The  green  epidermis  of  such  stems 
serves  the  same  purpose  as  foliage  of  other  plants. 

The  stem  sometimes  becomes  long  and  slender,  winding  round 
different  objects  for  support,  or  climbing  by  means  of  tendrils. 
Such  plants  are  called  vines,  creepers,  or  twining-plants. 


JYiiTjOme  of  Arum 


Creepi'r> 


Fern  h$ev-<)o-l>u.Uj  ot-  Orek<.<f- 

Roots  and  Rhizomes. 


14  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

Buds  are  formations  of  the  stem  ;  from  these  come  leaves 
and  branches  and  flowers.  In  deciduous  plants  the  buds  are 
very  different  and  more  complex  than  in  evergreens,  being  pro- 
tected by  recinous  scales. 

All  bulbs  are  merely  buds  composed  of  a  number  of  more  or 
less  fleshy  scales  or  leaves.  They  serve  to  store  up  nutriment 
or  for  the  purpose  of  propagation. 

Leaves  serve  to  assimilate  plant-food  under  the  action  of 
light  and  heat.  The  under  side  of  the  leaf  is  covered  with 
thousands  of  openings  through  which  the  carbonic  acid  of  the 
air  is  absorbed.  The  leaves  also  serve  as  organs  of  evapora- 
tion. 

The  green  matter  of  the  leaf  is  called  chlorophyll,  and  can 
only  be  formed  under  the  influence  of  sunlight ;  hence  the 
yellowish  or  white  leaves  of  plants  accidentally  growing  in 
deep  shade.  As  the  leaf  is  one  of  the  most  important  organs 
of  the  plant  and  absolutely  necessary  to  growth  and  develop- 
ment, it  is  important  always  to  keep  the  same  clean  and  in  a 
healthy  state.  Leaves  are  either  simple,  as  in  the  Oleander,  or 
compound  as  in  the  Mimosas,  or  sometimes  absent  and  substi- 
tuted by  broad  and  flattened  leaf-stalks  or  petioles,  as  in  many 
Acacias. 

The  simple  leaves  are  of  many  different  forms  ;  the  chief 
types  are  parallel-veined  leaves,  as  in  the  Calla,  and  all  lilies 
and  netted-veined  ones,  as  those  of  the  Geranium. 

The  shape  differs  considerably.  Plate  II.  gives  an  idea  of 
the  most  common  types.  The  edge  of  a  leaf  is  seldom  entire. 
When  only  slightly  cut,  it  is  toothed  or  crenate ;  or,  when 
wavy  as  that  of  the  oak,  undulate.  According  to  the  degree  of 
incision  it  is  called  cut,  lobed,  cleft,  parted,  or  divided  ;  divided 
beinu  the  highest  degree  of  incision.     Next  to  these  come  com- 


PLATE   II 


Kjjfck.  ^'^     o^'^'^-    j/ffi 


gimpll  rind  Compound  Leaver 


1 6  WLXDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

pound  leaves;  when  the  segment  is  articulated,  that  is,  attached 
to  the  whole  by  means  of  a  joint.  Compound  leaves  are  either 
palmate,  when  the  leaflets  are  joined  to  a  common  centre,  or 
pinnate,  when  disposed  at  regular  distances  on  a  main  leaf- 
stalk. There  are  pinnate  leaves  with  even  pairs  of  leaflets,  or 
with  an  odd  one  at  the  tip  of  the  leaf,  or  with  the  end  of  the 
leaflet  converted  into  a  tendril,  as  in  the  sweet  pea.  When 
a  leaf  is  doubly  or  three  times  pinnate,  it  is  called  bi-  or  tri- 
pinnate. 

According  to  the  arrangement  on  the  stem  the  leaves  are 
opposite,  as  in  the  Periwinkle,  or  whorled,  as  in  the  Crown 
Imperial,  or  alternate,  as  in  the  Oleander. 

The  blades  of  some  leaves  are  modified  into  pitchers  or  into 
traps  for  catching  insects,  as  the  leaves  of  the  common  Pitcher- 
plant,  the  Saddle-wort,  and  the  Fly-trap. 

Some  leaves  are  fleshy  and  succulent,  and  serve  for  storage  in 
the  same  way  as  fleshy  stems  or  roots  in  other  plants.     A  com- 
mon example  is  the  American  Aloe.      Many  plants  of  this  class 
have  dry  and  leathery  leaves  engendered  by  exposure  for  cen 
turies  upon  centuries  to  a  tropical  sun. 

The  flowers,  in  which  all  higher  vegetable  life  reaches  its 
fullest  development,  are,  no  matter  how  great  the  apparent 
difference,  formed  upon  one  general  plan.  The  essential  parts 
of  all  flowers  are  not  the  showy  petals,  but  the  small,  insignifi- 
cant-looking organs  within,  the  pistil  and  stamens.  The  pis- 
til is  the  central  organ,  the  lower  portion  of  which  is  destined 
to  develop  into  fruit  ;  the  stamens  are  the  fertilizing  organs. 
The  pistil  consists  generally  of  three  parts  :  the  ovary,  which  is 
the  lower  part  and  contains  the  rudimentary  seeds,  the  style, 
and  the  stigma.  The  style  may  be  absent,  but  the  stigma 
which  receives  the  pollen  from  the  anthers,  and  the  ovary,  are 


Co  roll 


Panicle- 


Corolla.  • 


(Nlm<frfea( 

^CorolfA 

Corolla- 
^-•Sfiom,*.. 

'eW. 


MnflieK 


Pi'if  il «>Mineii. 


-J 


Flowers  and  Inflorescence. 


1 8  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

essential.  The  stamen  consists  of filament  and  anther.  In  the 
anther  numerous  infinitely  small  cells  are  developed  which  are 
called  by  a  collective  name,  pollen.  These,  when  transmitted 
to  the  stigma,  emit  slender  threads  which  penetrate  the  ovary 
and  the  rudimentary  seeds,  which  thereby,  in  some  mysterious 
way,  get  power  to  develop  into  seeds  and  plants. 

The  floral  envelope  consists  generally  of  two  distinct  parts  : 
One  inner  brightly  colored  whorl  of  leaves  called  petals,  and 
one  outer  green  whorl  called  sepals.  The  number  of  sepals 
and  petals  is  generally  the  same.  In  some  species  the  petals 
are  joined  together  and  form  a  tubular,  bell-shaped,  or  labiate 
corolla.  In  other  families  the  petals  are  entirely  separate,  as 
also  the  sepals.  As  to  the  shape  of  the  gamopetalous  corolla, 
that  is,  a  corolla  in  which  the  petals  are  joined  together, 
it  is  wheel-shaped,  as  in  the  Tomato,  salver-shaped  in  Phlox, 
funnel-shaped  in  the  Morning-glory,  bell-shaped  in  the  Hare- 
bell, and  tubular  in  the  now  common  so-called  Cigar-plant, 
and  in  the  common  Heaths.  There  are  also  irregular  shapes 
of  this  type,  as  the  ringent  or  labiate  corolla  of  the  Snap- 
dragon. 

The  many-petalled  corolla  is  often  similar  in  shape  to  many 
one-petalled  flowers.  A  special  form  is  the  cruciform  corolla 
of  the  Wallflower  and  the  papilionaceous  corolla  of  most  plants 
of  the  pea-family.  Flowers  of  the  lily  family  have  generally 
two  whorls  of  floral  leaves,  three  in  each  and  almost  similar  in 
shape  and  color.  Some  flowers  are  ligulate  or  tongue-shaped 
as  in  most  plants  belonging  to  the  aster  family.  The  "flower" 
of  a  Chrysanthemum  is  not  a  single  flower,  but  a  collection 
or  head  of  numerous  flowers  with  a  monopetalous  strap-shaped 
corolla.  At  the  same  time  the  central  flowers,  in  most  species 
of  Chrysanthemums.  Asters,  and  their  allies  are  always  tubular. 


THE  PLANT  19 

Double  flowers  are  artificial  productions  obtained  through  in- 
tense culture.  In  these  the  essential  parts  have  developed  into 
colored  petals  ;  for  this  reason  most  double  flowers  produce 
no  fruit.  In  Orchids  the  flowers  are  of  a  peculiar  shape,  all 
the  essential  parts  being  joined  together  and  dependent  upon 
insects  for  fertilization.  The  flowers  are  sometimes  protected 
by  colored  bracts  or  spathes,  as  in  the  case  of  the  common 
Calla.  With  regard  to  the  inflorescence,  flowers  are  generally 
produced  together  :  in  racemes  when  stalked  and  springing 
from  one  main  stem  or  peduncle ;  in  corymbs  when  the  flow- 
ers, disposed  one  above  the  other  on  a  main  peduncle,  form 
a  flat  cluster  ;  in  umbells  when  the  pedicels  spring  from  a 
common  point ;  in  spikes  when  the  flowers  of  a  raceme  are 
sessile.  The  flowers  of  the  Calla  are  collected  in  a  fleshy  spike 
and  protected  by  a  showy  leaf  called  spathe.  Many  compo- 
sitions of  these  original  types  are  found.  Flowers  are  some- 
times produced  singly  from  the  axis  of  leaves,  and  are  then  said 
to  be  axillary.  In  Plate  II.  the  most  common  types  of  flowers 
and  flower-clusters  are  illustrated. 

The  fruit  is  sometimes  as  ornamental  as  the  flower,  but  a 
superficial  glance  at  fruits  and  seeds  is  all  that  can  be  spared. 
As  flowers  are  simply  modified  branches,  so  the  different  parts 
of  a  flower  are  only  modified  leaves.  Even  the  most  altered 
parts,  viz.,  the  stamens  and  pistils,  are  simply  modifications  of 
the  green  parts  of  the  plant.  The  fruit  consists,  therefore,  of 
one  or  more  altered  leaves  joined  together  and  enclosing  one 
or  more  seeds.  This  is  most  apparent  in  such  types  as  the  Pea 
and  Bean,  or  in  the  carpel  of  a  Paeony.  In  berries  and  stone- 
fruits  all  parts  are  greatly  modified.  A  fruit  is  anything  con- 
taining one  or  more  seeds,  from  the  dry  capsule  of  a  flax-plant 
to  the  succulent  product  of  a  water-melon.     The  seed  is  the 


20  WINDOW  AXD   PARLOR    GARDEXIXG 

essential  part,  to  the  production  of  which  the  life  of  the  plant 
has  been  devoted  from  its  germination. 

Ferns  and  clubmosses  are  fiowerless  plants,  reproduced  by 
spores  which  in  the  case  of  ferns  are  collected  in  fruit  spots 
on  the  back  of  the  leaves,  or  bordering  the  edge,  or  disposed 
in  capsules  at  the  termination  of  veins.  The  spores  retain 
their  power  of  growth  longer  than  any  seeds.  In  growing,  a 
small  fiat  body  is  formed,  on  which  the  organs,  corresponding 
to  pistil  and  anther  in  flowering  plants,  develop.  These  ars 
always  disposed  on  the  lower  side  of  this  flat  body  or  pro- 
thallium  and,  fertilized  in  due  course,  give  rise  each  to  a  small 
plant,  which  in  its  first  stage  is  very  delicate. 

The  leaves  of  Ferns  and  Palms  and  Sagopalms  are  called 
fronds.  They  are  mostly  of  a  luxurious  growth,  of  elegant 
habit,  and  very  ornamental. 

A  curious  process  of  reproduction  is  noted  in  many  ferns, 
by  means  of  buds  forming  on  the  back  of  the  frond,  which 
develop  into  entire  plants,  and  when  planted  carefully  facili- 
tate the  propagation  of  some  of  our  most  beautiful  ferns. 


IT 


APPLIANCES 


FEW  special  appliances  may  be  of  great  use  to  the 
grower  who  is  altogether  confined  within  the 
house,  who  has  no  garden  or  place  for  frames  or 
pits.  In  his  case  some  arrangement  for  keeping 
a  little  soil  and  manure  in  a  proper  way  should  be 
made.     A  good,  strong  wooden  box  with  special  departments 


for  the  various  kinds  of  soils 
one  for  pots,  watering-cans, 
would  be  very  useful.    This 


and  manures,  and  also 
sponges,  sprayers,  etc., 
could  easily  be  kept  in  the 
cellar  or  any  other  out-of-the 
way  place  where  potting,  clean- 
ing, and  other  rough  work  could 
be  done.  One  or  two  sieves  and 
a  few  shallow  boxes  for  car- 
rying soil,  for  potting  and  for 
shifting  plants,  ought  to  be  kept, 
as  also  a  spade  for  mixing  soil.  A 
sufficient  number  of  pots  in  all 
sizes,  and  a  few  shallow  pans  for  propagating,  should 
always  be  handy.  A  good  watering-pot  of  the  flat 
approved  pattern,  not  too  large  for  using  in  a  room,  and  for 
spraying  foliage  a  Scollay  bulb,  which  can  be  used  in  any  room 
without  moistening  carpets  or  furniture.      A  small  brass  hand- 


Watering  Can  with  Rose. 


22  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

syringe  is  required  for  large  plants,  if  a  green-house  or  pit  is  kept. 
For  cleaning  purposes  a  few  small  soft  sponges  and  a  bottle  of 
fir-tree  oil  are  better  than  anything  else.  Fir-tree  oil,  while  a 
good  thorough  insecticide,  is  at  the  same  time  agreeable  to  han- 
dle and  efficient  for  cleaning  the  foliage  of  palms  and  other 
plants  that  can  easily  be  washed.  Sticks,  if  possible  green- 
painted  ones,  these  being  neater,  and  Raffia  bast  for  tying  should 
not  be  omitted,  as  these  materials  may  be  required  unexpectedly. 

For  propagating,  any  good  sharp  pocket-knife  will  do.  For 
tender  plants  and  for  plants  that  require  very  moist  air,  there 
is  nothing  better  than  neat  glass  cases  that  can  be  made  in  any 
size  with  a  movable  top  and  zinc  bottom.  In  such  boxes  the 
atmosphere  can  be  kept  moist  by  spraying,  and  the  tempera- 
ture equable  by  means  of  shading  from  strong  sun  and  ventila- 
ting. For  tender  ferns,  clubmosses,  young  seedlings  of  Bego- 
nias, etc.,  these  are  necessary. 

It  will  be  seen  that  these  requisites  are  not  difficult  to  sup- 
ply. Ordinary  wooden  boxes  with  a  lid  will  do  for  the  soil. 
Everything  else  can  be  obtained  through  any  florist  or  seeds- 
man for  a  mere  trifle. 

Pots  of  porous  material  are  better  than  heavy  ornamental 
ones.  The  surplus  water  will  evaporate  with  greater  ease  and 
the  air  has  freer  access  to  soil  and  roots  ;  both  matters  of 
great  importance. 

For  many  small  plants  which  form  beautiful  masses  of  leaves 
and  flowers,  such  as  Gloxinias,  Achimenes,  and  many  bulbs, 
low  pots  commonly  known  as  pans,  can  be  used  with  ad 
vantage.  Many  kinds  of  ferns  can  also  be  grown  in  these, 
Hanging-baskets  of  earthenware  are  easier  to  use  than  wire 
or  wooden  baskets.  These  and  square  blocks  of  cork  or  wood 
are  used  for  many  <  hvhids  and   Bromeliads. 


Ill 

SOILS    AND    MANURES 

oam.     Good  fibrous  loam,  obtained  by  cutting  sods 
in  a  rich  pasture  or  by  the  wayside,  when  well  de- 
cayed, is  the  best  and  cleanest  soil  that  can  be  had 
for  general   purposes.      It  can  be  obtained,  ready 
^  for  mixing,  of  any  florist.     This  can  be  made  up  to 
f  <^/         suit  most  plants  by  mixing  with  clean  silver-sand 
and  decayed  manure  or  leaf-mould,  or  in  some  cases  with  peat, 
as  directed  in  the  special  chapters  on  plants. 

Leaf  Mould  consists  of  decayed  leaves  and  twigs  of  decid- 
uous trees.  It  is  found  in  woods  and  forests  or  made  up  by 
allowing  heaps  of  leaves  to  rot  gradually.  This  soil,  when 
sifted,  is  very  useful  for  mixing  with  loam  for  a  number  of  green- 
house-plants, and  is  especially  useful  for  seedlings  and  cuttings. 
Peat  is  found  in  swamps  and  bogs,  and  is  formed  of  decayed 
bog-plants,  the  fibrous  and  decayed  parts  of  ferns  and  mosses, 
and  is  a  very  light  and  porous  soil,  deficient  in  mineral  sub- 
stances, but  suitable  for  ferns,  orchids,  and  plants  of  the  Pine- 
apple family,  as  also,  when  decayed  and  sifted,  for  mixing  in 
soils  for  many  soft-wooded  plants,  such  as  Begonia  and  Primu- 
las.     It  is  also  required  for  the  Azalea  and  Camellia. 

Sand.  If  possible,  clean  white  silver-sand  or  coarse  sand 
from  a  river-shore  must  be  had  for  making  up  light  soils  for 
bulbs,  cuttings,  seeds,  and  a  number  of  plants.      It  is  indispen- 


-4  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

sable  for  propagation  and  for  storing  bulbs  and  tuberous  roots 
during  their  period  of  rest. 

Cow  Manure  is  the  best  natural  fertilizer  obtainable.  When 
well  decayed  and  cleaned  it  is  not  at  all  objectionable  to 
handle.  Ordinary  good  soil,  when  mixed  with  this  and  a 
trifle  of  bone-dust,  contains  all  the  nutriment  required  by  the 
great  majority  of  plants. 

Horse  Manure  cannot  be  used  for  pot-plants  until  well  de- 
cayed and  of  the  appearance  of  black  humus-rich  soil.  In  this 
state  it  can  be  used  in  quantity  for  Fuchsias,  Geraniums,  and 
similar  plants.  About  one-fourth,  with  one-half  good  loam 
and  a  fourth  part  of  sand,  makes  a  very  good  soil  for  ordinary 
use. 

Poultry,  Sheep,  and  Pigeon  Droppings,  when  pulverized, 
are  clean  to  handle  and  make  very  strong  fertilizers  for  top- 
dressing  and  liquid  manures  for  Palms  and  foliage  plants. 
They  should  be  used  moderately,  a  thin  layer  barely  cover- 
ing the  surface  of  the  soil  is  sufficient. 

Bone  Dust  is  a  safe  and  durable  ingredient  in  soils  for  strong- 
growing  plants,  for  Roses,  Chrysanthemums,  and  many  other 
vigorous  things.  It  can  be  used  in  the  proportion  of  two  or 
three  parts  to  a  hundred  parts  of  soil. 

Many  kinds  of  fertilizers  specially  prepared  for  house-plants, 
and  sold  under  different  names  by  seedsmen  and  florists,  are 
clean  and  scentless  and  suit  the  purpose  very  well.  Some  of 
the  best  are  commonly  sold  in  packages  with  directions  for 
use,  and  as  a  rule  these  can  be  relied  on. 

All  soils  when  used  should  be  moderately  moist  and  agree- 
able to  the  touch.  To  preserve  the  soil  in  this  state  it  should 
be  kept  in  boxes  covered  with  a  lid.      It  is  necessary  to  keep 


SOILS  AND  MANURES  25 

it  pure  and  clean,  and  to  mix  only  what  is  needed  at  a  time. 
Should  the  soil  be  too  dry  it  must  be  watered  beforehand,  so  as 
to  be  suitable  for  use  when  needed.  If  too  wet  it  must  be  al- 
lowed to  dry  until  satisfactory. 

Soils  for  foliage  plants  should  be  rich  and  must  contain 
plenty  of  ammonia,  which  is  an  ingredient  in  most  natural  man- 
ure. Soil  for  large  plants  should  be  lumpy  and  fibrous,  and 
sifted  soil  should  be  used  only  for  seedlings,  cuttings,  or  delicate 
plants.  Most  of  these  varieties  of  soils  can  be  obtained  through 
any  first-class  florist.  The  window-gardener  who  wants  to  be 
exact  and  careful  had,  however,  better  mix  for  himself  any 
special  soil  that  will  be  recommended  later  on  in  the  cultural 
notes.  Soils  and  manures  in  small  quantities  should  always  be 
kept  on  hand  in  boxes,  tubs,  or  other  convenient  receptacles, 
or,  as  recommended  in  the  chapter  on  appliances,  in  a  specially 
provided  box. 


IV 

PROPAGATION 

ANY  plants  can  be  profitably  propagated  by  cuttings 

^     in  a  window  with  no  exceptional  care  or  skill. 

J:~y\     ,  ■    "    Among  these  are  most  quick-growing  soft-wooded 

H,y  ;"■.  ■'.''■  "       plants:   Pelargoniums.  (Geraniums,  Fuchsias,  Mar- 

*  /  •       >        guerites,  Begonias,  Chrysanthemums,  Carnations, 

and  Roses  yield  to  a  patient  endeavor.     Many 

plants  can  also  be  grown  from  seeds  with  great  ease,  and  one 

of  the  greatest  pleasures  of  window-gardening  is  certainly  to 

watch    the    development    of  quick  -  growing    plants    from   the 

embryo.      Cinerarias,    Calceolarias,    German    Stocks,    Chinese 

Primulas,    and    Wallflowers    all    grow    with    the    greates*    of 

ease. 

Cuttings  or  slips  are  made  in  different  ways  according  to  the 
nature  of  the  wood.  Soft-wooded  cuttings  are  made  of  young 
growing,  half  ripened  shoots  with  one  or  more  leaves.  For  an 
example,  take  a  brittle  shoot  of  a  Verbena  with  about  six  fully 
developed  leaves,  remove  the  three  lower  ones  with  a  sharp 
knife  and  shorten  the  remaining  ones  slightly.  Some  soft- 
wooded  cuttings  require  bottom  heat,  and  can  therefore  not  be 
successfully  rooted  in  a  room.  Others,  and  chiefly  those  of 
greenhouse  plants,  require  no  bottom  heat.  Hard-wood  cuttings 
take  a  considerable  time  to  root  and  cannot,  except  in  a  few 
cases,  be  rooted  in  a  window.     All  plants  that  cannot  be  prop- 


PLATE   IV. 


Cuttings. 


28  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR   GARDENING 

agated  with  ease  in  a  room  or  window  should  be  bought  from 
a  florist  to  save  time  and  money.  Cuttings  root  in  various 
ways.  Some  form  a  cellular  mass  where  the  branch  has  been 
separated,  which  is  called  cambium  or  callus,  and  make  roots 
from  this  point  only.  Others  root  below  every  eye  or  from 
any  part  below  ground. 

Rose  cuttings  should  be  made  with  two  or  three  eyes,  and  the 
end  should  be  cut  obliquely  below  the  lowest  eye.  Cuttings 
of  Geraniums,  Fuchsias,  etc.,  require  less  care.  Carnation  cut- 
tings should  be  split  in  their  lower  ends. 

Leaf  Cuttings  are  pieces  of  leaves  with  one  or  more  strong 
veins  that  root  readily  in  sand.  Rex-Begonias,  Bryophyllums, 
and  Gloxinias  are  propagated  in  this  manner. 

If  the  cuttings  are  made ;  a  shallow  pan  or  pot  should  be  well 
drained  by  means  of  pieces  of  broken  pots  and  some  rough  soil, 
and  finally  filled  with  sharp,  clean  silver-sand.  This  should  be 
moderately  moist  when  used  and  must  be  pressed  down  quite 
firmly.  In  the  case  of  easily  rooted  plants  the  cuttings  can  be 
inserted  all  over  the  surface  of  the  pot,  but  some  cuttings  root 
best  when  placed  in  contact  with  the  wall  of  the  pot.  After 
insertion  they  should  be  carefully  watered,  must  never  be  al- 
lowed to  get  too  dry  or  too  wet,  and  should  be  shaded  from 
the  strong  sun,  and  according  to  their  nature  be  kept  in  a 
moderate  heat.  When  the  cuttings  are  known  to  be  of  more 
than  ordinary  value,  or  if  difficult  to  root,  allow  room  at  the 
surface  to  cover  with  a  piece  of  clean  glass. 

The  seed  is  the  most  natural  means  of  reproduction,  and  many 
plants  can  be  raised  in  this  way  by  almost  anybody.  Seeds 
should  be  covered  according  to  their  size,  and  very  fine  seeds 
must  be  sown  on  the  surface  of  the  soil  in  specially  prepared 
puts,  covered  with   a   glass  and   shaded  until  germination,  and 


PROPAGATION 


must  never  be  allowed  to  dry.     Too  much  moisture  may  also 
cause  the  seeds  to  decay,  especially  if  somewhat  old. 

Many  plants  are  easily  propagated  by  division.  Bulbous- 
rooted  plants  are  more  particularly  apt  to  be  increased  in  that 
way. 


liM(n(U(t[((iaini[;a;M.  u  <  t  ,f  (n'd  Cn,   a, 


Wardian  Glass  Case  for  Propagation  and  for  Tender  Plants. 


The  reader  is  asked  to  study  carefully  the  illustrations  to  this 
chapter  on  Plate  IV. ,  and  to  note  all  reference  to  the  propaga- 
tion of  each  variety  in  the  articles  on  plants.  It  is,  however, 
not  advisable  to  attempt  too  much,  it  being  wiser  to  grow  plants 
already  on  hand  into  fine  specimens  than  to  try  propagation. 
Young  plants  of  all  leading  varieties  are  generally  cheap,  and  if 
propagation  is  attempted  it  should  be  done  more  for  the  pleas- 
ure of  the  thing  than  for  any  other  consideration. 


V 


POTTING 

'HEN  the  young  cutting  is  well  rooted  it 
should  be  transferred  from  the  sand  to  or- 
dinary soil,  and  according  to  its  nature  be 
potted  more  or  less  firmly.  All  truly  woody 
plants  require  a  firm  potting  from  the  be- 
ginning, and  often  die  by  the  wholesale  if 
potted  too  loosely.  Soft-wooded  plants,  on  the  other  hand,  do 
better  in  less  firm  soil,  while  seedlings  of  such  plants  as  Primu- 
las, Gloxinias,  and  Begonias  can 
be  potted  quite  loosely.  Young 
cuttings  and  seedlings  should 
never  be  given  too  large  pots. 
Success  depends  largely  on  the 
observation  of  this  rule.  For 
rapid -growing,  soft-wooded,  or 
herbaceous  plants  frequent  repot- 
ting is  necessary  until  the  plants 
reach  normal  size  and  are  ready 
for  flowering.  In  potting  and 
repotting  care  must  be  taken  to 
preserve  all  good  roots  and  to  insert  them  in  as  natural  a 
position  as  possible  ;  no  roots  should  be  bent  or  bruised  in 
the  operation.      In  repotting  plants  already  established  in  pots, 


Diagram  showing  Pot   Ready  for  Potting. 

A,  drainage;   B,   soil;   C,  root-ball  of  plant 

prepared  for  potting. 


POTTING  31 

place  the  left  hand  carefully  over  the  top  of  the  soil,  two  fin- 
gers on  each  side  of  the  plant,  reverse  it,  and  with  a  sharp 
knock  by  the  rim  of  the  pot  on  some  hard  object  remove 
the  clump  from  the  pot.  If  it  is  well  routed  and  in  good 
condition,  and  it  is  desirable  to  give  more  pot-room,  remove 
only  the  loose  soil  from  the  top-edge  and  the  crocks  from  the 
bottom ;  loosen  the  roots  gently  and  then  plant  in  a  well- 
drained  pot.  Hard-wooded  plants  must  be  potted  quite  firm- 
ly, while  soft-wooded  ones  do  best  in  moderately  loose  soil. 
For  potting  large  plants  a  pointed  stick  is  required  to  push  the 
soil  down  to  the  roots.  In  this  case  place  a  small  quantity  of 
soil  in  the  bottom,  put  the  clump  down,  throw  some  soil  loosely 
about  it  and  knock  the  pot  slightly,  first  with  one  side  of  the 
bottom,  then  with  the  other  to  shake  down  the  soil  among  the 
roots,  holding  the  plant  in  the  right  place  at  the  same  time. 
Then  fill  in  the  remainder  and  finish  off  more  or  less  firmly  ac- 
cording to  the  nature  of  the  plant.  The  pots  should,  when 
finished,  never  be  quite  full,  allowing  a  liberal  space  for  water- 
ing. After  potting,  a  good  soaking  is  always  given  with  a 
rose.  Potting  in  a  house  can  be  done  in  a  cellar,  and  no 
special  bench  is  required. 

Drainage  is  necessary  for  most  plants.  Some  require  more, 
others  less.  For  some  Orchids,  Ferns,  and  plants  of  the  Pine- 
apple family  the  pots  are  more  than  half  filled  with  broken 
crocks.  In  draining,  place  a  large  flat  potsherd  over  the  hole 
in  the  bottom  and  then  place  a  few  others  round  it  for  ordinary 
potting.  If  the  plant  is  known  to  suffer  easily  from  too  damp 
soil,  throw  a  number  of  small  ones  in  on  the  top  and  cover  up 
with  coarse  siftings,  fibres,  or  a  very  little  moss. 

The  pots  must  always  be  clean  inside  and  out  when  used, 
and  should  be  examined  so  as  to  ascertain  that  the  outlet  for 


32  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

water  is  satisfactory.  If  the  plants  have  been  much  disturbed 
by  potting  they  should  be  shaded  for  a  few  days  after. 

Bulbs  for  forcing  should  be  potted  in  the  autumn  months. 
Lilies  require  about  six-inch  pots.  Freesias,  Tulips,  and  Cro- 
cus should  be  put  several  together,  Hyacinths  singly,  and  Nar- 
cissi three  or  five  together  according  to  size.  For  further  di- 
rections the  reader  is  referred  to  the  pages  on  these  plants.  In 
potting  bulbs  the  soil  should  not  be  packed,  but  simply  shaken 
down,  the  top  of  the  bulb  always  being  left  immediately  below 
the  surface.  A  good  thorough  watering  or  two  successive  ones 
must  be  given  after  potting,  and  the  pots  should  be  placed  in  a 
dark,  cool  place  until  rooted,  when  they  should  be  placed  in 
brisk  heat  in  the  warmest  place  the  house  affords  and  kept 
shaded  until  sprouting,  when  they  may  be  gradually  removed 
to  light.  In  planting  hardy  plants  from  the  ground  or  from 
the  woods,  good  specimens  should  always  be  chosen,  taken  with 
a  clump,  and  put  into  as  small  pots  as  possible  without  injury 
to  the  roots.  Hardy  plants  are  very  good  subjects  for  winter- 
flowering.  The  Christmas  Rose,  the  Japanese  Spirea,  several 
native  Orchids  and  Ferns,  Anemones,  and  hosts  of  others,  are 
both  easy  to  grow  and  highly  decorative  in  a  room. 

Orchids  and  Bromeliads  must  be  potted  in  a  special  way  in 
well-drained  pots  or  baskets,  in  a  mixture  of  sphagnum  moss 
and  fibrous  lumps  of  peat.  In  repotting  Orchids,  remove  the 
plant  carefully  from  the  pot  or  basket,  pick  off  all  old  decaying 
material,  fill  the  pot  partly  with  alternate  lumps  of  peat  and 
moss,  put  the  roots  in  their  place,  and  fill  in  the  material  firmly 
so  as  to  leave  the  plant  upright  in  the  middle,  slightly  raised 
above  the  rim  of  the  pot.  The  surface  should  then  be  trimmed 
clean  by  means  of  a  pair  of  ordinary  shears. 

In  filling  hanging   baskets  or   vases  with   an   assortment   of 


POTTIXG  33 

plants  the  stronger  ones  should  always  be  placed  in  the  centre, 
first  of  all.  Then  a  circle  or  two  of  flowering  and  foliage- 
plants  with  trailing  vines  to  hang  gracefully  over  the  rim. 
The  room  between  the  clumps  should  be  filled  in  with  good 
soil  and  firmly  packed  without  disturbing  the  roots. 

Window-boxes  before  planting  should  be  lined  with  zinc  to 
prevent  the  wood  from  rotting.  The  edges  should  be  cov- 
ered with  low  trailing  plants.  No  drainage  is  needed,  as  the 
box  will  be  exposed  to  wind  and  sun  and  consequently  dries 
quickly. 


VI 

FORCING 

(HIS  is  a  process  by  which  hardy  plants  are  brought 
into  flower  by  means  of  artificial  heat  and  moisture 
in  a  close  green-house  or  other  place,  during  the 
winter  months.  Hardy  perennial  plants  and  shrubs 
are  very  suitable  for  this  purpose,  even  some  of 
our  native  wild  flowers  make  admirable  subjects.  The  way 
to  proceed  is  simplicity  itself.  The  plants  should  be  taken 
up  with  as  good  roots  as  possible ;  the  clump  must  be  care- 
fully reduced  and  potted  firmly  in  as  small  pots  as  possible. 
They  should  then  be  thoroughly  watered  and  placed  in  a  shady 
frame,  and  covered  with  soil  or  leaves  until  rooted.  Some 
species,  in  fact  most  hardy  ones,  must  be  allowed  to  freeze 
before  forcing.  After  this  they  should  be  introduced  for  a 
few  days  into  brisk  heat,  when  they  can  be  grown  naturally 
until  flowering.  Where  there  is  a  greenhouse  or  pit,  forcing 
can  be  done  admirably  without  any  extra  outlay.  If  it  be 
desired  to  grow  a  few  hardy  plants  for  winter  bloom  where 
there  is  no  such  convenience,  the  problem  is  more  difficult,  and 
should  not  be  attempted  on  any  large  scale.  Hardy  Ferns, 
however,  taken  from  the  wood  need  no  special  care  in  forcing, 
and  can  simply  be  grown  in  an  ordinary  window.  So  also 
plants  that  naturally  bloom  during  the  winter  months  or  in 
very  early  spring,   as  the  Christmas  Rose,  the  Franthis,   and 


FORCING  35 

the  little   blue  Anemone.     The   foliage  of  plants  of  this  class 
should  be  kept  quite  moist  until  the  flowers  begin  to  expand. 

Hyacinths  can  be  forced  in  clean  water  in  narrow  vases, 
made  on  purpose.  The  lower  surface  of  the  bulb  should 
merely  touch  the  water.  If  kept  in  a  moderately  warm  room, 
roots  will  soon  fill  the  vase.  A  shady  position  is  necessary 
until  the  scape  has  grown  to  a  height  of  about  six  inches. 
The  Chinese  Sacred  Lily,  a  kind  of  Narcissus  with  large  bulbs, 
may  be  grown  in  a  similar  manner  in  glass  bowls,  half-filled 
with  clean  pebbles  of  about  the  size  of  a  hazel-nut.  The  bowl 
should  be  partly  filled  with  water  and  one  or  two  large  bulbs 
placed  in  the  centre.  These  soon  commence  to  root,  and 
flower  in  about  a  month  or  six  weeks.  The  Chinese  Sacred 
Lily,  when  grown  in  this  way,  is  both  interesting  and  orna- 
mental. 


VII 

WATERING 

rATERING  must  be  considered  with  due  regard 
to  the  nature  of  the  plant  under  treatment.  A 
Cactus  or  other  succulent  plant  requires  less 
water  than  robust-foliage  plants,  and  while  a 
slight  neglect  in  watering  a  Cactus  would  be 
of  no  consequence,  the  neglect  of  a  Fern  in  full  growth  might 
do  great  injury.  The  soil  should  in  no  case  be  kept  continu- 
ally wet,  but  merely  sufficiently  moist  to  insure  a  satisfactory 
growth.  Watering  can  be  almost  entirely  dispensed  with  dur- 
ing the  winter  months  with  many  slow-growing  Cactaceas,  but 
most  plants  require  more  or  less  water  all  the  year  round.  On 
a  sunny  summer  day  more  water  is  of  course  needed  than  in 
the  dull  season  of  the  year.  The  amount  of  water  taken  up 
by  healthy  foliage-plants  during  a  hot  summer  day  is  sometimes 
quite  surprising.  One  way  to  ascertain  if  a  plant  is  dry  is  by 
tapping  the  pot  by  the  hand,  when  if  dry  it  will  give  a  ringing 
sound.  But  the  amateur  will  soon  learn  to  discover  the  dry 
ones  merely  by  looking  at  the  soil. 

Water  should,  if  possible,  be  soft.  Rain-water  collected  for 
the  purpose  is  the  best  for  ordinary  use.  Palms  and  other 
foliage-plants  require  spraying  every  day  in  dry  weather,  or 
where  this  is  impracticable  the  plants  should  be  gone  over  once 
in  a  while  with  a  moist  sponge,  an  operation  which  need  not 


WATER  IX  G  37 

be  tedious  or  of  long  duration.  Special  care  should  be  taken 
in  spraying  and  watering  cuttings  and  young  seedlings.  Seed- 
lings in  particular  are  apt  to  "  damp  off"  if  the  soil  is  undu- 
ly dry  and  the  top  too  moist.  Watering  of  delicate  seedlings 
must  be  done  with  great  care  with  a  Scollay  bulb  or  with  a 
very  fine  rose.  In  America  watering  can  hardly  be  over- 
done in  the  summer  time.  Provided  the  plants  are  well 
drained,  they  should  be  watered  every  day  in  bright  weather — 
study  the  nature  of  your  plants  and  the  nature  of  the  weather, 
and  you  will  soon  know  the  path  that  leads  to  success. 

A  number  of  plants  require  a  full  or  partial  rest  during  win- 
ter. Nearly  all  bulbous  plants  and  corms  can  be  dried  off  as 
soon  as  the  season's  growth  is  over,  and  from  such  plants  water 
should  be  withdrawn  gradually  when  the  foliage  begins  to  show 
signs  of  ripening.  Most  plants  should  be  kept  slightly  dryer 
during  the  winter  months.  Tropical  plants  kept  in  too  low  a 
temperature  should  also  be  kept  rather  dry  until  a  higher  tem- 
perature makes  it  possible  for  them  to  recommence  activity. 
Too  much  water  for  plants  exposed  to  cold  will  cause  sickness 
and  decay.  On  the  other  hand,  neglect  of  watering  during 
the  extreme  heat  of  summer  will  invariably  bring  insects  and 
diseases.  If  the  pots  are  not  protected  against  sun  and  wind, 
no  watering  will  be  sufficient  to  keep  up  a  growing  moisture. 


VIII 

CLEANING 

*sSjK2kLEANING  plants  when  infested  with  insects  or  cov- 
ered with  dust  liable  to  interfere  with  the  normal 
sfc      action  of  the  leaf,  or  if  slightly  attacked  by  disease. 
%^-L.      is  a  most  important  work.     It  does  not  entail  any 


considerable  loss  of  time  or  shifting  of  plants,  for 
it  can  be  neatly  and  easily  done  even  in  a  window. 

If  the  plants  are  infested  with  scales  or  mealy  bugs  the  work 
is  somewhat  tedious,  owing  to  the  necessity  of  removing  every 
visible  enemy  by  means  of  a  pointed  stick  if  the  sponge  can- 
not reach  it.  For  general  use,  fir-tree  oil  is  a  very  cleanly 
and  efficient  insecticide.  It  should  be  mixed  according  to  the 
directions  on  each  bottle.  It  has  the  advantage  over  others  in 
not  injuring  the  hands;  it  will  leave  even  a  white  hand  much 
whiter. 

Even  when  cleaning  is  not  absolutely  needed  for  any  apparent 
reason,  it  is  useful  as  a  preventive  against  both  insects  and  dis- 
eases. Sponges  used  for  washing  plants  must  be  soft  and  free 
from  any  granular  matter  or  sand,  which  is  apt  to  scratch  the 
surface  of  the  leaves.  When  the  foliage  is  too  small  to  be 
washed  leaf  by  leaf,  an  immersion  in  a  weak  solution  of  fir-tree 
oil  will  be  useful. 

It  large  foliage-plants  such  as  Palms,  Rubber-trees,  and  Dra- 
cenas  are  merely  dusty,  a  good  rubbing  of  the  foliage  with  a 


CLEANING 


39 


soft  cloth  will  make  the  leaves  clean  and  glossy.  This  method 
is  better  than  washing  when  the  plants  are  absolutely  healthy 
and  free  from  insects.  Cleanliness  will  do  more  to  keep  them 
away  than  all  remedies.  Every  lady  desirous  of  growing  plants 
successfully  should  bear  this  in  mind.  Not  only  should  the 
leaves  be  kept  free  from  dust  and  other  objectionable  matter, 
but  pots,  vases,  urns,  and  baskets  must  have  a  similar  attention. 
The  purpose  of  window  and  parlor  gardening  being  an 
aesthetic  one,  anything  that  will  heighten  the  general  effect 
should  be  done,  and  cleanliness  is  one  of  the  great  founda- 
tions of  all  truly  aesthetic  enjoyment. 


IX 

SPECIAL    WINDOWS   AND   TERRARIUMS 

[ANY  plants  require  for  their  full  development  a  moist- 
er  and  more  equable  atmosphere  than  an  ordinary 
dwelling-house  can  offer.  Such  plants  should  rather 
be  excluded  from  a  collection  than  be  brought  to 
a  place  where  they  are  sure  in  the  long  run  to  be 
anything  but  ornamental.  But  persons  who  would  like  to 
grow  any  variety  of  this  kind  can,  in  an  easy  and  inexpensive 
way,  provide  a  suitable  place  for  such  plants.  A  good  bay- 
window,  or  any  spacious  light  and  wide  window,  should  be 
selected  for  this  purpose,  and  separated  from  the  room  proper 
by  means  of  glass  doors,  leaving  an  ample  space  in  which  a 
special  atmospheric  condition  can  be  maintained  by  means  of 
daily  sprayings  of  the  foliage.  Being  more  close  and  easily 
over-heated  on  sunny  days,  facilities  for  airing  and  shading 
should  be  maintained  and  the  temperature  should  be  kept  as 
equal  as  possible.  In  such  a  small  enclosure  the  plants  should 
be  arranged  on  stands  and  brackets,  and  some,  satisfied  with  less 
sun,  even  on  the  floor.  This  little  mimic  conservatory  should 
not  be  overcrowded  ;  a  few  good  specimens  of  the  best  kinds,  of 
exceptionally  beautiful  Ferns,  Clubmosses,  Palms,  and  Orchids, 
that  would  suffer  in  the  room  itself,  should  be  all,  for  it  must 
be  here  borne  in  mind  that  an  unusual  number  of  all  kinds 
and  conditions  of  plants,  arranged  in  a  greenhouse-like  way, 


SPECIAL   WINDOWS  AND    TERRARIUMS 


4i 


would  be  extremely  bad  taste  and  not  likely  to  give  any  special 
pleasure. 

Terrariums,  or  large  glass  cases  on  stands,  can  be  provided 
for  the  same  purpose  and  are  more  suitable  for  small  and  deli- 


Terrarium. 


cate  plants,  such  as  filmy  Ferns,  some  Clubmosses,  a  few  rare 
Aroids  and  Gesneraceas.  Such  cases  can  be  tastefully  made  of 
wood,  polished  or  otherwise,  or  with  marble  base  and  plate- 
glass  sides  and  cover,  and  can  in  themselves  be  rendered  really 
ornamental  objects.  Supposing  a  terrarium  of  this  description 
ready  for  use ;  we  will  first  build  little  rockeries  by  means  of 


42         Window  axd  parlor  gardening 

loose  sand-stones,  here  higher,  there  lower,  with  a  gradual 
slope  from  the  middle  to  the  sides.  Here  and  there  in  this 
fundamental  structure  leave  larger  and  smaller  fissures  that  can 
be  filled  with  suitable  soil.  We  now  select  some  of  the  most 
beautiful  plants  that  can  be  found.  A  few  especially  fine 
Aroideae  with  glossy  many-colored  foliage;  a  Fittonia  with 
silvery-  or  golden-veined  leaves  to  hang  over  an  edge  here,  some 
trailing  Tradescantias  there  or  the  white-striped  Panicum,  a 
beautiful  grass.  A  red-fruited  Nertera  will  look  well  on  the 
edge  close  to  the  glass,  while  a  small  and  slender  palm,  the 
Cocos  Weddeliana  may  rise  from  a  mass  of  Adiantums  or  some 
other  delicate-leaved  fern.  We  may  also  have  a  few  decaying 
branches  of  birch  or  oak  covered  with  the  hair-like  masses  of 
some  filmy  fern  and  rich  and  vigorous  upright-growing  Club- 
mosses  among  a  bed  of  trailing  ones.  Here  some  exceedingly 
fine-leaved  Achimenes-like  plant  with  modest  flowers,  and  there 
gorgeous  Begonias  or  some  bright-colored  yEchmea  or  Tilland- 
sia.  After  planting,  this  varied  collection  should  be  well  looked 
after  ;  the  watering  must  be  carefully  done  and  the  plants 
should  be  sprayed  daily  except  the  ferns.  The  projecting  rocks 
must  be  kept  constantly  moist  and  the  temperature  as  equable 
as  possible,  and  varying  as  little  on  any  side  of  sixty-five  to 
seventy  degrees  as  practicable.  The  terrarium  should  be  placed 
close  to  a  light  window,  where  in  case  of  a  strong  sunshine  it 
can  be  shaded,  and  proper  ventilating  must  never  be  forgotten. 
A  terrarium  constructed  somewhat  in  this  way  would  not  be 
likely  to  give  much  trouble,  but  a  vast  amount  of  pleasure  and 
instruction  could  be  had  by  watching  the  daily  growth  of  the 
flora  of  this  miniature  world. 

Among  the  numerous  plants  for  this  purpose,  the   following 
selection    will    be   found   suitable  :     Brucellas  :    Any  neat  and 


SPECIAL   WINDOWS  AND   TERRARIUMS  43 

compact  variety.  Palms :  Cocos  Weddeliana,  Geonoraa  gra- 
cilis.   A  raids  :  Curmeria  Wallisii,  Anthurium,  Alocacia,  Philo- 

dendron,  Caladium  Argyrites.  Bromeliads :  Small  compact  va- 
rieties. Ferns :  Pteris  serrulata  cristata,  Adiantum,  Lygodium, 
Trichomanes  and  Hymenophyllum  in  deep  shade.  Orchids : 
Cypripedium.  Clubmosscs :  Selaginella  Emeliana,  S.  denti- 
culata,  S.  apns,  S.  cassia,  S.  viticulosa,  S.  caulescens,  etc. 
Miscellaneous  Plants  :  Eranthemum  igneum,  Ruellia,  Oxalis, 
Begonia,  Peperomia,  Pellionia,  Fittonia,  Maranta,  Bertelonia. 


X 

FRAMES   AND   PITS 


w... 


HffiL 


N  American  suburbs  and  small  towns  the  lady  of  the 
house  need  not  confine  her  gardening  operations  to 
IIL,  the  narrow  confines  of  her  parlor-windows.  There 
is  generally  some  kind  of  a  lawn  in  front  and  a 
back-yard,  if  not  a  garden,  behind  the  house. 
Where  there  is  ample  room  for  a  small  pit  or  green-house 
it  ought  to  be  provided,  if  special  interest  is  taken  in  orna- 
mental plants,  or  where  the  means  will  not  allow  of  this  a 
few  frames  may  be  very  useful.  In  a  pit  or  greenhouse,  which 
can  be  heated  by  means  of  the  same  apparatus  as  the  house, 
many  plants  can  be  kept  during  their  growing  period,  to  be 
brought  into  the  house  for  decoration  when  in  flower.  Here 
also  hardy  plants  can  be  forced  into  flower,  sick  ones  be  left 
to  recover,  and  here  also  the  propagation  of  plants  for  the  em- 
bellishment of  the  lawn  and  the  borders  can  be  attended  to 
early  in  the  spring,  so  that  they  may  be  ready  for  immediate 
use.  Potting,  tying,  cleaning,  all  can  be  done  here.  A  green- 
house or  pit  for  general  use  should  be  kept  at  a  temperature 
of  from  50  to  60  degrees  so  as  to  suit  all  conditions  of  plants. 
The  summer  temperature  would  of  course,  from  natural  causes, 
be  much  higher.  The  house  ought  to  be  provided  with  canvas- 
shading  and  ample  means  of  ventilation. 

Frames  are  useful  for  storing  potted  plants    for  forcing  until 


FRAMES  AND   PITS  45 

wanted,  and  for  raising  young  seedlings  in  the  spring,  or  for 
re-pricking  seedlings  already  raised  in  pots  in  the  window  or 
the  greenhouse.  If  used  in  spring  before  frost  is  over  they 
must  be  sufficiently  covered  to  exclude  too  low  a  temperature, 
not  to  mention  frost. 


XI 


LIGHT 

IGHT  is  necessary  to  all  life  ;  the  plant  cannot  de- 
velop without  its  agency.  The  coloring  matter  of 
,  leaves  and  flowers  is  formed  under  the  direct  in- 
fluence of  the  sun.  Different  plants  require  dif- 
ferent degrees  of  light ;  some  rejoice  in  the  full 
blaze  of  the  sun,  others  seek  the  shady  retreats 
of  woods  and  rocks. 

Under  artificial  treatment  plants  always  turn  toward  the 
light  when  it  comes  from  one  side  only;  hence  it  becomes  nec- 
essary to  turn  such  plants  around  frequently  to  form  attractive 
and  regular  specimens. 

In  most  dwelling-houses  the  light,  although  sufficient,  comes 
from  one  side  only.  In  summer  shade  should  be  provided  for 
many  plants  against  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun. 

While  light  is  beneficial  and  necessary  to  the  organism  of  the 
plant,  an  excess  of  light  may  be  injurious  and  even  fatal  to  its 
development.  Clubmosses,  Marantas,  and  many  Ferns  will  soon 
succumb  in  the  direct  sunlight.  Several  Palms  do  best  in  par- 
tial shade.  Plants  with  brightly  colored  flowers,  such  as  Com- 
posites and  most  succulent  plants,  enjoy  the  most  ardent  sun- 
shine. 


XII 

TEMPERATURE  AND    MOISTURE 

N  an  ordinary  dwelling-house  a  temperature  comfortable 
£  to  live  in,  viz.,  of  about  sixty-five  to  seventy  degrees 
=<-  during  the  winter  months,  will  also  suffice  for  all 
plants,  even  tropical  ones.  Even  Palms  in  the  South- 
ern States  stand  as  low  a  temperature,  at  times,  as 
twenty-five  degrees  without  injury.  The  warm  sun- 
shine and  the  excessive  summer  heat  amply  compensate  for 
a  rather  low  winter  temperature.  The  difficulty  in  America  is 
to  raise  plants  that  do  well  and  flower  in  a  rather  low  tempera- 
ture, such  as  the  Fuchsias  of  the  high  Andes  and  many  beauti- 
ful mountain  plants  from  tropical  countries.  These,  as  a  rule, 
require  plenty  of  light,  but  cannot  stand  excessive  heat,  and  it 
is  only  during  winter  that  they  can  be  grown  with  ease.  It  is 
obvious  that  the  range  of  temperature  in  a  dwelling-house  must 
be  rather  limited,  but  some  degree  of  difference  can  certainly 
be  had.  A  well-appointed  kitchen,  when  light,  will  afford  a 
good  place  for  all  plants  requiring  much  heat.  Next  come 
parlor,  library,  hall,  and  other  rooms  ;  some  of  the  upper 
rooms  are  generally  kept  at  a  considerably  lower  temperature, 
and  an  enthusiastic  lady  who  takes  interest  in  window-garden- 
ing will  certainly  avail  herself  of  these  for  many  plants  barely 
needing  protection  from  frost.  Cool  cellars  can  be  used  for 
storing  hardy  plants  destined  to  be  forced  during  the  winter. 


48  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

In  many  dwelling-houses  the  atmosphere  is  excessively  dry, 
and  where  this  is  the  case  a  good  many  useful  plants  cannot  be 
grown.  Many  kinds  of  insects  are  liable  to  attack  plants  in  a 
dry  atmosphere.  Much  can  be  done  to  overcome  this  trouble 
by  spraying  the  foliage  often,  or  by  growing  plants  that  require 
a  great  deal  of  moisture  in  terrariums  or  double  windows. 
Many  Ferns,  Orchids,  and  tropical  foliage-plants  require  an  at- 
mosphere laden  with  moisture.  Cacti,  many  kinds  of  bulbous 
plants,  Palms,  and  Bromeliads,  as  also  many  florist-flowers,  do 
well  in  a  dry  room,  but  all  except  Cacti  need  occasional  wash- 
ings and  sprayings. 

A  room  in  which  the  atmosphere  is  kept  sweet  and  buoyant 
by  means  of  heating  and  ventilation,  can  produce  as  good 
flowers  as  the  best  greenhouse. 


XIII 


INSECTS    AND    DISEASES 


REENFLIES  are  the  most  formidable  of  the  insect 
foes  we  have  to  deal  with  on  house-plants.  They 
come  on  the  young  growing  shoots  of  most  plants, 
and  if  left  alone  increase  with  marvellous  rapidity. 
In  greenhouses  they  can  easily  be  dealt  with,  as  one 
or  two  good  strong  smokings  with  tobacco-stalks 
will  destroy  all  fully  developed  insects.  In  a  house  where 
fumigation  is  out  of  the  question  greenflies  must  be  got  rid  of 
by  means  of  washing,  dipping  in  weak  tobacco  water,  or  by 
dusting  the  young  shoots  with  tobacco  powder.  Mealy-bug  is 
a  curious,  disagreeable  insect,  and  cannot  be  got  rid  of  except 
by  washing  it  away  with  a  sponge  or  picking  it  out  of 
the  axis  of  leaves  and  other  corners  where  it  cannot  be  other- 
wise reached.  It  does  not,  however,  increase  in  any  alarming 
degree,  and  with  a  little  ordinary  care  is  not  likely  to  cause 
any  trouble  in  a  house.  The  same  can  be  said  of  the  scales, 
a  similar  kind  of  insect  that  is  frequently  found  on  American 
trees  such  as  the  Sassafras  and  the  Chionanthus. 

The  Thrips  and  the  Red  Spider  are  liable  to  attack  many 
plants  if  kept  too  dry.  The  only  means  of  freeing  house-plants 
of  these  is  by  a  good,  thorough  washing  with  a  strong  solution 
of  fir-tree  oil  or  some  other  insecticide;   they  can  generally  be 


50  WINDOW  AND    PARLOR    GARDENING 

kept  away  by  keeping  the  foliage  sufficiently  moist.      In  this 
case  prevention  is  decidedly  better  than  cure. 

Earth-worms  when  in  pots  can  easily  be  removed  by  the 
hand  ;  their  presence  is  indicated  by  the  small  globular  masses 
of  excrement  that  they  deposit  on  the  surface  of  the  soil. 

Slugs,  if  accidentally  brought  into  the  house,  may  cause  con- 
siderable damage  on  tender  growing  shoots,  and  should  be 
watched  for  after  bringing  plants  from  the  outside.  Mice,  if 
not  prevented,  will  sometimes  disturb  young  seeds.  A  good 
remedy  is  to  cover  all  seed-pots  with  a  flat  piece  of  glass. 

Diseases  may  arise  from  injudicious  watering,  subjections 
to  droughts,  previous  attacks  of  insects,  or  through  insufficient 
drainage.  Mildew  is  caused  by  sudden  chills  ;  it  attacks  young, 
growing  foliage  and  shoots.  It  can  be  effectually  stopped  by 
dusting  the  affected  parts  with  flower  of  sulphur.  Many  forms 
of  fungi  attack  greenhouse  plants,  but  are  not  much  to  be  afraid 
of  in  the  case  of  a  few  well-looked  after  house-plants. 

When  the  leaves  of  any  plant  turn  sickly  yellow,  something 
is  generally  the  matter  with  the  root,  and  it  should  immediately 
be  turned  out  and  carefully  examined.  If  the  cause  is  not  ap- 
parent a  removal  of  the  old  soil,  and  in  some  cases  a  thorough 
cleaning  of  the  root,  re-potting  in  fresh  and  suitable  soil,  and 
very  careful  watering  until  new  roots  are  formed,  will  effect  a 
cure.  If  the  sickness  is  caused  by  bad  drainage  the  remedy  is 
evident.  Strong  sunshine  will  sometimes  scorch  the  leaves. 
This  of  course  is  not  a  disease,  but  disfigures  the  plant  all  the 
same.     To  prevent  this,  shade  all  tender-leaved  plants. 


XIV 

DECORATION 

oliage  and  other  plants.  Having  been  successful  in 
raising  and  growing  to  perfection  a  number  of  deco- 
rative plants,  the  grower  naturally  desires  to  arrange 
them  in  the  most  satisfactory  and  effective  manner, 
and  a  few  hints  to  this  effect  will  perhaps  not  be  out 
of  place.  If  the  apartments  are  large,  light,  and 
airy,  a  more  satisfactory  result  can  be  obtained  than  in  small 
and  dull  rooms,  for  many  plants  can  in  that  case  be  disposed  in 
some  of  the  inner  corners  of  the  apartment.  Indeed  many 
Palms  and  other  foliage-plants  do  not  object  to  a  little  shade. 

To  begin  in  the  hall  ;  the  foot  of  the  staircase  is  admirable 
for  displaying  large  foliage-plants  of  the  Dracena  type  or 
Palms.  A  strong,  beautiful  specimen  of  either,  or  a  small  group 
on  either  side  with  a  tall,  pinnately  leaved  Palm  in  the  centre 
edged  with  smaller  Palms,  Caladiums,  Silk-oaks,  Sanchesias,  or 
even  some  suitable  plants  in  flowers,  where  the  hall  is  large. 
A  specimen  on  either  side  of  the  entrance,  of  sufficient  size  to 
cause  a  beautiful  display,  or  some  climbing  plants  covering  the 
wainscoting  of  the  door  and  rising  in  garlands  to  the  ceil- 
ing, is  simple  and  effective.  In  the  parlor  a  somewhat  more 
luxurious  display  can  be  allowed.  Oleanders  in  bloom,  speci- 
mens   of  India-rubber    trees.  Aurucarias,   simple  but    effective 


U.  OF  ILL  UD. 


52 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR   GARDENING 


specimens  of  some  Palm,  can  be  placed  in  nooks  and  corners. 
On  spacious  mantel-pieces  a  fine  specimen  of  some  flowering 
plant  at  each  side  is  not  out  of  place.  On  either  side  of  windows, 
or  on  the  window-sill,  tastefully  arranged  flowering  plants  may 
be  allowed.  The  central  table  may  be  decorated  with  a  single 
specimen  of  some  graceful  Palm  proportionate  in  size.      In  the 

dining-room  suitable  plants 
may  be  arranged  on  cup- 
boards, mantel  -  piece,  on 
either  side  of  the  window, 
and  on  the  table. 

Special  single  stands  and 
brackets  can  of  course  be 
provided  for  many  plants 
in  any  room.  Brackets  are 
especially  useful  for  climb- 
ing and  trailing  plants. 

In  the  kitchen,  of  course, 
the  plants  need  not  be  at  all 
conventionally  arranged,  the 
desire  being  simply  to  give 
a  cheerful,  home-like  aspect 
to  the  place.  This  indeed 
may  be  said  about  all  arrangement  of  plants  where  comfort  and 
pleasure  are  more  studied  than  gorgeous  effect  and  conventional 
display.  Simplicity  should  be  the  first  law  in  all  things  con- 
nected with  floral  decoration.  Any  overcrowding,  any  plants 
placed  so  as  to  obstruct  views  of  pictures  or  to  hide  furniture, 
or  so  as  to  make  it  difficult  to  move  about,  are  decidedly  out  of 
place. 

Cut  flowers  in  vases  are  often  desirable  in  bed-rooms,  in  the 


Bracket  with   Plant  of  Saxifraga  snr 


DECORATION  53 

library,  and  on  the  table,  and  most  American  woods  and  fields 
offer  a  host  of  beautiful  plants  for  this  purpose.  In  spring  the 
May  flowers,  the  blue  Anemone,  the  Meadow  Beauty,  the 
numerous  Phloxes,  beautiful  Orchids,  Azaleas,  Mountain  Laurel, 
and  numerous  others  offer  rich  treasures  for  home  adornment. 
In  summer  we  have  Rudbeckias,  later  on  Golden  Rods,  As- 
ters, and  a  variety  of  autumn  leaves  in  brilliant  colors.  Cut 
flowers,  to  keep  fresh  as  long  as  possible,  should  be  kept  con- 
stantly in  fresh  water.  Some  of  the  frailest  of  flowers  will  often 
keep  beautiful  longer  than  larger  ones.  The  common  Forget- 
me-not,  if  gathered  in  bud  and  made  into  wreaths,  and  placed 
in  water  on  a  common  dinner-plate,  will  grow  and  flower  for  a 
long  period,  making  a  perfect  mass  of  blue. 

Jardinieres,  china  pots,  and  pots  of  earthenware  in  ornamental 
designs  can  be  employed  for  placing  round  the  pots  in  which 
plants  are  grown,  if  these  are  not  considered  sufficiently  orna- 
mental in  themselves. 

Jardinieres,  besides  being  ornamental,  are  very  useful  for  pro- 
tecting the  roots  of  tender  plants  from  over-exposure  to  sun- 
shine and  drought. 

Pots  protected  by  these  or  other  suitable  vessels  will  always 
keep  sufficiently  cool. 


XV 

BASKETS,    VASES,    AND    WINDOW   BOXES 

[ANY  trailing  plants  and  vines  are  well  suited  foi 
growing  in  hanging  baskets,  vases,  and  window 
boxes.  Baskets  can  be  made  either  of  earthenware 
or  china,  or  of  pieces  of  wood,  or  iron  or  copper 
wire.  Baskets  of  the  latter  type  must  be  clothed 
with  moss  to  keep  the  soil  in  position,  and  by  reason  of  the 
excellent  drainage  are  eminently  suited  to  Ferns  and  Orchids. 
"Baskets"  of  china  or  earthenware  are  rather  more  orna- 
mental and  better  fitted  to  plants  of  more  solid  growth,  such 
as  Ivy-leaved  Geraniums,  Ivy,  and  even  small  Palms  and  1  )ra- 
cenas.  In  planting  baskets  care  should  be  taken  to  make  the 
bottom  solid,  so  as  not  to  risk  the  falling  out  of  the  soil  after- 
ward when  least  expected. 

Vases  are  suitable  ornaments  for  stoops  and  entrances  to  a 
house.  Filled  with  Palms,  large  Century-plants,  or  Dracenas, 
they  make  a  beautiful  effect.  Even  in  the  house,  on  the  newels 
of  staircases  or  on  single  stands,  vases  with  suitable  plants  are 
very  ornamental.  Large  cast-iron  vases,  such  as  are  usually 
used  in  cemeteries  and  gardens,  can  be  made  very  attractive  by 
planting  with  a  variety  of  plants.  One  way  is  to  plant  a  large 
Palm  or  Dracena  in  the  centre  and  fill  out  with  various  foliage 
and  flowering  plants,  such  as  Begonias,  Marguerites,  Ivy,  and 
Coleus  ;   and  for  edging,  Verbenas,  Lobelias,  and  various  kinds 


BASKETS,    VASES,    AND    WINDOW  BOXES         55 

of  Mesembryanthemums.     There  should  be  no  crowding,  how 

ever,    but  each  species  should  have  ample  room  for  develop 
ment. 

Window-boxes  are  largely  used  in  England,  and  when  well 
planted  are  exceedingly   beautiful.      They  are  made  of  wood, 


Window-Box. 


about  eight  inches  wide  and  deep,  by  a  length  to  fit  the  width 
of  the  window,  and  are  placed  outside  the  window  on  the  pro- 
jecting   sill.      Where    this    does    not    project  sufficiently,   iron 


56  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

brackets  can  be  placed  just  below  j;he  window,  and  will  be 
just  as  safe.  The  bottom,  or  better,  the  whole  inside,  can  be 
covered  with  zinc  perforated  in  the  bottom  to  allow  for  drain- 
age. Begonias,  tuberous  and  herbaceous,  Calceolarias,  Fuchsias, 
and  choice  Geraniums  are  favorite  flowers  for  this  purpose.  The 
boxes  are  often  edged  with  Lobelia,  Musk,  Alternanthera,  and 
other  low-growing  plants.  Marguerites,  Heliotropes,  Verbenas, 
and  Dracenas  may  also  be  used  with  advantage.  Ivies  and 
creeping  vines  are  largely  employed  in  window-boxes ;  hanging 
down  in  graceful  garlands  or  partially  trained  round  the  win- 
dow, they  make  a  very  charming  effect. 

Flower-stands  of  cast  iron  in  ornamental  designs  are  very 
useful  for  growing  a  large  number  of  plants  in  a  small  space. 
The  tops  should  be  fiat,  with  a  shallow  tray  of  zinc  for  holding 
the  plants.  The  illustration  printed  herewith  shows  a  suitable 
stand  nicely  arranged.  The  central  plant  is  a  small  and  grace- 
ful Palm,  and  around  this  are  placed  a  number  of  foliage  and 
flowering  plants. 

The  best  plants  for  growing  in  hanging  baskets  and  window- 
boxes  are  as  centre  plants :  Anthericum  variegatum,  Dracena 
indivisa.  Abutilon,  Bromelia  Ananas  variegata,  Geranium,  He- 
liotrope, Paris  Daisy,  Pandanus,  Solanum  jasminoides.  For 
border  around  these  the  following  may  be  used :  Begonia 
semperflorens  and  varieties,  B.  metallica,  B.  fuchsioides,  Ivy- 
leaved  Geraniums,  German  Ivy.  Ivy,  Cuphea,  Libonia,  Coleus, 
Irisine.  For  edging  the  following  varieties  are  very  suitable : 
Alyssum.  Musk.  Periwinkle.  Verbena,  Lobelia,  variegated  forms 
of  Tropreolum  ;  Manettia,  Tradescantia,  and  others  according 
to  circumstances.  Vases  may  be  filled  with  similar  plants,  or 
with  large  single  specimens  of  American  Aloe,  Dracena  indivisa, 
and  others  according  to  size. 


Plant  Stand. 


XVI 


THE  VERANDA,  AND  HOW  TO  ADORN  IT 

N  the  summer-time  many  of  the  floral  treasures  of  the 
)'  house  can  be  profitably  employed  to  decorate  the  ve- 
«<■     ran  da.     Large 

Palms  can  be  placed 

at  regular  intervals. 

Passion  flowers  and 
other  vines  can  be  trained 
to  pillars  and  trellis-work, 
and  hanging  baskets  may 
be  suspended  from  the  ceil- 
ing between  the  columns. 
Even  outside  the  windows 
or  bordering  the  main  en- 
trance, trellises  can  be 
placed  for  flowering  vines, 
of  which  there  are  very 
many  suitable  species. 

Between  the  pillars  con- 
tinuous boxes  with  rich 
displays  of  foliage  and  flow- 
ers may  be  had,  and  beau- 
tiful vases  on  the  stoops  and  near  the  approach  to  the  steps. 
All  this  floral  luxury  need  not   involve  any  heavy  outlay  of 


/v* 


mm 


«v 


; 


j' 


V 


: 


Hanging  Basket. 


THE   VERANDA,  AND  HOW  TO  ADORN  IT      59 

money,  but  a  great  deal  of  forethought  is  of  course  necessary  to 
have  everything  ready  in  due  time. 

We  beg  our  women  readers  to  carefully  study  the  descrip- 
tions of  suitable  plants  in  the  following  part.  There,  every 
advice  necessary  to  insure  success  will  be  given,  and  by  careful 
study  of  the  directions  therein,  the  reader  will  no  doubt  be 
able  to  make  her  home  as  attractive  as  plants  and  flowers  can 
make  it. 


PART   II 

THE  SELECTION   OF   HOUSE 
PLANTS 


ON    PLANT    NAMES 


*  ifflANY    exotic   plants   have   no   authorized   American 
names,  and  their  Latin  names  being  in  most  in- 


p-  stances  simple  and  euphonious,  should  be  used 
in  preference  to  any  doubtful  American  name. 
Many  plants  are  given  different  whimsical  names 
in  different  States,  and  the  practice  of  dispensing 
with  a  good  Latin  name  such  as  Begonia,  for  the  very  ridicu- 
lous "angel's  wings,"  as  I  heard  it  called  in  one  instance, 
can  only  lead  to  the  most  deplorable  confusion.  The  floral 
world  is  so  rich,  its  different  species  are  of  such  peculiar  rela- 
tion to  each  other,  that  it  would  be  simply  impossible  to  invent 
common  names  for  all.  Such  beautiful  Latin  names  as  Camellia, 
Azalea,  Reseda,  Viola,  Citrus,  Mimosa  and  others,  are  superior 
to  most  common  names  in  brevity  and  simplicity.  Many  ignor- 
ant florists,  as  I  know  from  experience,  invent  names  to  suit 
customers  and  circumstances,  but  such  liberties  are  as  inex- 
cusable as  they  are  dishonest. 

In  the  descriptions  of  plants  I  shall  in  all  cases  give  the 
American  names  that  exist  and  are  universally  recognized.  In 
all  other  cases  the  Latin  names  alone  are  given. 

Many  plants,  especially  varieties  raised  by  florists,  have 
however  only  names  given  to  distinguish  them  from  other 
varieties  of  the  same  species,   such   as  all   double  flowers  of 


64  WIND O W  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

Roses,    Chrysanthemums,    Carnations,   Geraniums,   and    other 
plants. 

A  word  of  warning  may  here  be  given  against  anything 
unusually  marvellous  in  the  world  of  horticulture — things  that 
never  have  existed  and  never  will.  The  floral  world,  indeed, 
contains  sufficiently  marvellous  things,  gorgeous  works  of  the 
Creator  that  need  no  gilding  and  no  improvement. 


-  ^  I , 


II 

ROSES,  CARNATIONS,  AND  CHRYSANTHEMUMS 

EVERAL  varieties  of  the  Rose  are  admirably 
adapted  for  window  culture,  and  when  of  a 
bushy  habit,  with  strong  and  glossy  foliage,  and 
producing  fine  flowers,  there  are  no  prettier  plants 
&^  than  these.  Roses  require  plenty  of  fresh  air,  sun- 
shine, and  a  steady  temperature;  as  also  a  con- 
stant moisture  at  the  root.  The  foliage,  to  keep  fresh  and  free 
from  insects,  needs  frequent  sprayings  or  an  occasional  immer- 
sion in  pure  water. 

The  best  varieties  for  our  purpose  are  some  of  the  smaller, 
rich-flowering  Tea  roses,  such  as  Niphitos,  a  white  and  very 
beautiful  rose  with  long  pointed  buds;  Perle  des  jardins,  with 
globular  yellow  flowers;  La  France,  a  well-known  erect  variety 
with  silvery-pink  flowers;  Catherine  Mermet,  pink,  and  the 
Bride,  a  pure  white  form.  Clotilde  Soupert  is  a  small  pink 
rose  of  great  beauty  and  a  profuse  bloomer ;  it  is  the  very  best 
variety  for  window  culture.  The  Fairy  roses  are  perhaps  equally 
suitable.  They  are  miniature  roses  producing  clusters  of  flowers 
in  great  profusion  and  forming  very  dwarf  and  compact  plants. 
The  rosy-pink  Burgundy  and  its  white  variety  are  the  best. 

To  propagate  the  Rose,  select  wood  from  a  shoot  that  has  just 
finished  flowering,  take  the  part  immediately  below  the  flower, 
and  make  cuttings  with  two  or  three  buds,  leaving  the  top  leaf. 


66  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

Cut  obliquely  immediately  below  a  bud  and  remove  the  marrow 
from  the  lower  end.  Prepare  a  well-drained  pot,  fill  it  partly 
with  sharp  silver-sand  which  should  be  pressed  down  very 
firmly.  Insert  the  cuttings  one  by  one  nearly  down  to  the 
leaf.  The  outer  ones  may  very  well  touch  the  inside  of  the 
pot.  Then  water  well  and  keep  constantly  moist  and  in  a 
light  position  in  about  60  degrees,  where,  in  the  course  of  three 
or  four  weeks,  they  will  all  be  rooted.  Then  remove  from  the 
sand,  pot  singly  in  2-inch  pots,  very  firmly  and  without  injur- 
ing the  roots.  Re-pot  as  often  as  necessary  until  established  in 
7-  or  8-inch  pots,  in  which  they  should  be  allowed  to  bloom. 
Roses  require  rich  soil :  two  parts  of  good  fibrous  loam,  one  part 
decayed  cow  manure,  with  a  sprinkle  of  bone-dust  and  some 
sand,  makes  a  good  soil  for  flowering  plants.  After  some  time 
the  soil  should  be  top-dressed,  and  late  in  the  season  weak 
manure  water  will  do  good. 

To  make  the  plants  bushy  and  strong,  all  flower-buds  appearing 
during  the  summer  should  be  removed.  Shoots  producing  no 
flower-buds  should  be  trimmed  back  to  about  two  strong  buds 
in  September  or  October.  During  the  winter  months  the 
plants  will  bloom  freely  if  properly  cared  for.  All  shoots  after 
flowering  should  be  cut  back  to  a  good  bud. 

Look  well  after  watering  in  summer,  spray  foliage  frequently, 
allow  no  green-flies  or  mildew  to  get  a  foothold  on  any  account. 

Carnations,  next  to  the  rose,  have  been  favorites  with  florists 
for  centuries.  The  Carnation  is  a  plant  well  fitted  for  house 
culture,  neat  in  habit,  easily  grown  and  very  floriferous  ;  there 
is  no  better  plant  to  be  had.  Of  American  varieties  the  white 
Silver-spray,  the  yellow  Buttercup,  the  salmon-pink  Daybreak, 
the  rose-pink  Tidal-wave  and  the  scarlet  Portia  are  among  the 
best. 


ROSES,  CARNATIONS,  AND  CHRYSANTHEMUMS  67 


Carnations  should  be  propagated  during  the  winter  or  spring 
months.  Cuttings  made  of  growing  side -shoots  are  the  best ; 
the  lower  leaves  are  simply  removed  and  the  tips  shortened.  It 
is  also  good  practice  to  split  the  lower  end,  inducing  it  to  root 
from  a  larger  surface.  As  soon  as  rooted,  pot  in  2 -inch  pots 
pretty  firmly  in  light  sandy  soil.  Re-pot  two  or  three  times, 
plant  out  in  border  for  summer  months,  nip  long-growing 
shoots  and  buds,  and  pot  in  about 
September  in  5-  or  6-inch  pots.  If 
there  is  no  garden,  the  little  plants 
can  very  well  be  grown  on  in  the 
house  in  pots,  but  should  have  plenty 
of  air  and  light. 

Soil  made  up  of  three  parts  loam, 
one  part  sand,  and  one  part  decayed 
manure  will  suit  all  carnations.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  months  they  should 
be  kept  in  a  cooler  room  than  roses, 
if  possible,  and  have  plenty  of 
light. 

Chrysanthemums  are  becoming 
more  and  more  popular,  especially 
the  large  flowering  Japanese  kinds. 
The  incurved  Chinese  varieties  are, 

however,  better  suited  for  home  culture,  as  they  produce  more 
flowers. 

Good  lists  of  varieties  are  found  in  all  catalogues  and  can  be 
obtained  of  all  florists. 

To  propagate,  keep  plants  after  flowering  in  a  cool  place, 
remove  the  old  stems,  and  as  soon  as  the  young  shoots  appear 
at  the  base  and  are  about  three  inches  long,  make  the  cuttings. 


Carnation. 
Dianthus  caryophyllus  plains. 


68  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

Simply  remove  the  lower  leaves,  cut  the  end  with  a  sharp  knife, 
and  shorten  the  foliage  slightly.  Insert  in  sand  as  recom- 
mended for  Roses  and  Carnations.  Water  well  and  keep  in  a 
light  place  in  about  45  degrees  until  rooted.  Pot  and  treat  as 
Carnations.  The  soil  must  be  rich,  that  recommended  for  Roses 
will  do  very  well.  Chrysanthemums,  however,  should  be  pot- 
ted less  firmly.  In  July  the  plants  should  be  potted  in  8-  or 
10-inch  pots,  if  sufficiently  large,  and  should  then  be  plunged 
outside  or  kept  where  the  pot  can  remain  shaded  at  all  times 
while  the  plant  enjoys  plenty  of  light. 

As  soon  as  the  young  buds  appear,  the  superfluous  ones 
should  at  once  be  removed  from  the  axis  of  the  lower  leaves, 
leaving  only  from  one  to  six  on  the  same  shoot,  according  to 
variety.  Now  also  stimulating  liquid  manure  should  be  given 
until  the  flowers  begin  to  expand,  when  water  should  be  given 
more  sparingly.     If  kept  cool  and  dry  the  flowers  keep  longest. 


Ill 


POPULAR   FLORIST   FLOWERS 

alsams  are  well-known  annuals.  There  are  many 
strains  of  seeds,  some  giving  more,  others  less  double 
flowers,  the  double-flowered  ones  only  being  of  any 
value.  The  colors  of  Balsams  are  extremely  ten- 
der and  beautiful,  varying  from  white  to  deep-red, 
either  one-colored  or  mottled  or  striped.  Camellia 
flowered  Balsams  are  the  largest  and  finest. 

Balsams  should  be  sown  in  March  or  April,  or  even  later,  for 
late  bloom  in  the  house.  Place  a  few  seeds  in  2 -inch  pots, 
and  when  rooting  through  the  soil  re-pot  into  larger  ones  re- 
peatedly until  the  plants  are  in  5-  or  6-inch  pots,  in  which 
they  may  flower.  The  young  seedlings  should  be  kept  in  the 
warmest  and  lightest  apartment.  Turn  the  plants  round  fre- 
quently, as  they  grow  toward  the  light.  Two  parts  of  loam, 
one  of  well-decayed  leaf  mould  and  horse  manure,  and  one  of 
sand  makes  a  good  soil. 

Begonias.  Begonias  are  among  the  most  beautiful  and  eas- 
iest grown  house  plants.  Of  late  years  there  have  been  raised 
a  number  of  hybrids  and  varieties  excelling  in  beauty  of  form 
and  color  any  known  species.  Begonias  grown  for  their  flow- 
ers are  of  two  kinds.  One  group  with  tuberous  roots,  the 
other  shrubby.  Tuberous  rooted  Begonias  are  raised  from 
seeds  which  are  extremely  fine,  and  must  be  sown  on  the  sur- 


7o 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


face  of  the  soil  in  a  pot  covered  with  a  flat  piece  of  glass  and 
kept  moist,  shaded,  and  in  a  temperature  of  about  60  or  65 
degrees.  When  the  extremely  small  seedlings  are  sufficiently 
large  to  be  handled  they  should  be  pricked  out  in  pans  or  pots, 
later  on  singly  in  small  pots.     The  best  kinds  are  : 


Tuberous-rooted   Begonia. 

B.  boliviensis.  Leaves  three  to  four  inches,  triangular,  ser- 
rate. Flowers  in  large  drooping  clusters,  scarlet,  summer- 
flowering. 

B.  Davisii.  Low,  compact;  leaves  rounded,  heart-shaped, 
green  on  upper  surface,  red  below,  hairy.  Inflorescence  four 
to  five  inches  high,  flowers  red,  in  umbellate  dusters.  Very 
beautiful. 


POPULAR   FLORIST  FLOWERS  71 

B.  Froebelii.  Stemless,  leaves  heart-shaped,  with  long 
point  :  green,  somewhat  hairy.  Flowers  large,  scarlet,  in  loose, 
drooping  clusters  on  tall  stems  ;   winter-flowering.     Very  fine. 

P>.  Pearceii.  Succulent  bushy  stem.  Leaves  narrowly  cor- 
date, pointed,  toothed  ;  smooth  above,  hairy  and  red  below. 
Flowers  large,  yellow  from  the  axils  of  the  leaves,  in  large  clus- 
ters.     Beautiful.      Summer. 

B.  rosamora.  Compact,  stemless.  Leaves  rather  large, 
hairy  below,  rounded  in  outline,  edge  reddish,  toothed,  blow- 
ers very  large  on  strong  woolly  stems,  rosy-red.      Summer. 

There  are  many  beautiful  varieties  and  hybrids.  Ordinary 
seed  packets  of  tuberous-rooted  Begonias  contain  many  of  the 
best  varieties,  but  generally  not  the  above  species,  which  must 
be  bought  separately.  Most  of  the  varieties  are  good  for  out- 
door bedding  as  well  as  for  the  house. 

Shrubby  Begonias  are  generally  propagated  by  cuttings. 
They  root  easily  but  are  inclined  to  rot  if  kept  too  damp  or 
too  cold.  Bottom  heat  of  about  70  degrees  is  preferable  but 
not  necessary  when  the  main  temperature  is  about  or  above 
that.     These  can  also  be  propagated  by  seeds,  but  more  slowly. 

Good  kinds  are  the  following  species  and  varieties : 

B.  Bruantii.  Bushy.  Flowers  white,  tinted  rose,  in  rich 
upright  clusters.      Leaves  brownish-green. 

B.  coccinea.  Shrubby,  one  to  two  feet.  Leaves  long  and 
pointed.  Flowers  in  drooping  clusters  from  the  axils  of  the 
leaves,  red  scarlet.      One  of  the  best. 

B.  corallina.  Tall-growing,  shrubby  species.  Flowers  in 
loose  axillar  clusters,  large,  winged,  coral-red. 

B.  fuchsioides.  Bushy,  erect.  Small  leaves  and  flowers  in 
loose  drooping  racemes,  somewhat  fuchsia-like,  scarlet.  Sum- 
mer-flowerine. 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


B.  maculata.  Leaves  deep  dull  green,  spotted  with  white 
on  the  upper  side,  smooth,  reddish  below.  Flowers  in  small 
clusters,  coral-red,  varying  to  white. 

B.  manicata.  Large,  luxurious  foliage,  compact  habit.  Leaves 
glossy,  dark  green,  obliquely  cordate,  pointed.     Flowers  small, 

numerous,  in  erect  clus- 
ters above  the  foliage, 
pink  or  fleshy.  Orna- 
mental. Variety,  with 
white,  maculated  foliage, 
common. 

B.  semperflorens  (Ice- 
plant),  most  common  spe- 
cies. Leaves  fleshy,  glos- 
sy. Flowers  numerous, 
medium  size,  white. 

Varieties  rosea  and 
rosea  gigantia,  extremely 
beautiful  tall-growing  va- 
rieties, with  large  shining 
leaves  and  immense  axil- 
lary clusters  of  very  large 
rosy  flowers.  Best  Be- 
gonia grown,  ever-bloom- 

Eegonia  semperflorens  rosea  giganlea. 


B.  Weltoniensis.  Very  common  species  of  a  bushy 
habit,  with  small  green  leaves  tinted  crimson,  and  numer- 
ous small  flowers  of  a  pale  rose.  Very  valuable  as  a  house 
plant. 

Newer  varieties:  Erfordia?,  very  good.  Gloire  de  Sceaux, 
Gloire  de  Lorraine.,  and  others. 


POPULAR  FLORIST  FLOWERS 


73 


^  9/3 


For  Begonias  with  ornamental  leaves  see  Miscellaneous  Fo- 
liage-plants. 

Soil  for  Begonias  should  be  light  and  fibrous,  of  equal  parts 
fibrous  loam  and  leaf  mould  and  a  liberal  addition  of  sharp 
sand.     Pots  must  be  well  drained. 

Calceolarias  are  of  two  kinds,  herbaceous  and  shrubby. 
Calceolaria   hybrida  is  the  common    large    flowered   kind, 
grown    in   greenhouses,   and    remarkable    for    their   curiously, 
often    brilliantly  colored   flowers   of  a    mottled,   speckled,  or 
one-colored  tint. 

These  are  raised  from  seeds  sown  in  summer  on  the  surface 
of  the  soil  in  well-drained  pots,  as  recommended  for  Bego- 
nias. Must  be  kept  moist  until  growing  by  means  of  shading. 
Keep  the  seed-pots  in  a  rather  cool 
place,  re-prick  as  usual,  gradually  in 
single  pots,  and  re-pot  until  in  6 -inch 
pots,  in  which  the  plants  can  be  win- 
tered in  a  cool,  light  place.  They 
bloom  in  summer  and  need  careful 
watering,  and  must  be  kept  free  from 
greenflies.  Soil  as  for  Begonias,  with 
the  addition  of  a  little  well-rotted 
manure. 

The  shrubby  Calceolarias  are  most- 
ly used  for  out-door  bedding,  but  are 
rather  pretty  in  pots.  They  grow 
taller,  more  bushy,  and  are  more 
floriferous  than  the  herbaceous  kinds, 
but  less  varied  in  color,  which  is  mostly  yellow  or  brown. 

Cinerarias   are  pretty  annuals  of  a  very  varied   range   of 
vivid   coloring.     There  are   double  varieties,    which  are    less 


Cineraria,  cruenta  variety. 


74 


WINDOW  AND    PARLOR    GARDENING 


desirable;  dwarf  kinds,  and  ordinary  ones.  Sow  in  April  or 
May  to  obtain  winter-blooming  plants,  in  light  sandy  soil, 
cover  lightly,  keep  moist  and  partially  shaded  until  sprouting. 
Cover  seed-pots  with  glass.  When  large  enough,  prick  out 
singly  in  2-inch  pots,  grow  on,  and  re-pot  frequently.  Must 
be  kept  during  summer  as  cool  as  possible,  and  are  benefited 
by  frequent  sprayings.  Keep  off  insects  !  Pot  in  rich,  fibrous 
soil,  water  plentifully  every  day — twice  if  necessary. 

Chinese  Primulas  are  very  neat  winter-blooming  plants, 
raised  from  seeds  or,  in  the  case  of  some  double  varieties,  by 

cuttings.  Either  method  is 
easy.  There  are  numerous 
varieties  from  white  to  lilac. 
Sow  in  pots  or  shallow  pans 
successively  from  March  to 
July,  cover  lightly,  keep 
moist  and  partially  shaded 
until  growing,  leave  the 
plants  for  some  time  in 
seed-pots.  Plant  singly  in 
2 -inch  pots;  when  large 
enough  keep  on  re-potting 
as  soon  as  well  rooted.  Soil 
rich  fibrous,  same  as  rec- 
ommended for  Cinerarias. 
Flower  in  4-  or  5-inch  pots.  A  cold  frame  where  available  is 
best  for  the  summer,  for  this  as  well  as  for  Cinerarias,  Cycla- 
mens, Calceolarias,  and  Marguerites. 

Cyclamens.  Persian  Alp-violet.  Beautiful  plants  of  the 
Primula  family  in  a  variety  of  colors.  Buy  conns  or  propa- 
gate by  seeds.     Sow    fresh    seeds  in  September  in  pots  well 


Chinese   Primula.     Primula  sinensis. 


POPULAR  FLORIST  FLOWERS 


75 


drained  and  filled  with  light  sandy  soil,  cover  about  a  quarter 
of  an  inch,  and  put  a  light  covering  of  chopped  moss  on  the 
surface,  if  on  hand.  Keep 
in  about  60  degrees  until 
sprouting,  leave  until  large 
enough  to  be  potted  in  2- 
inch  pots.  .  Re-pot  once  or 
twice  during  the  winter, 
leaving  the  little  corms  just 
in  the  surface  of  the  soil. 
Keep  in  a  cool  shady  place 
in  summer,  and  spray  leaves 
frequently  in  warm  weather. 
In  about  fifteen  months  the 
young  plants  should  flower, 
and  the  strongest  will  then 
be  in  6-inch  pots.  Young 
home-grown  plants  are  the  best.  Corms  bought  and  grown  on 
are  not  as  floriferous,  and  often  fail.  The  plants  may  be  rested 
after  flowering,  and  grown  a  second  year  with  success.  Rich 
leaf  mould  and  fibrous  loam  with  sand  and  a  little  well-de- 
cayed manure  make  a  good  soil.  The  plants  require  plenty  of 
water  while  growing.  These  are  extremely  elegant  and  attract- 
ive plants  Avhen  covered  with  flowers  ;  they  flower  during  a  long 
part  of  the  winter. 

Fuchsias,  owing  to  climatic  conditions,  cannot  be  grown  as 
well  here  as  in  Europe,  where  they  are  seen  in  every  cottage- 
window.  Still  a  moderate  success  may  be  obtained,  especially 
in  the  Northern  States  and  in  mountain  districts.  There  is  an 
enormous  number  of  species  and  varieties,  all  of  which  are 
easily  propagated   by  means  of  half-ripe  cuttings.      Root   these 


Persian   Violet.      Cyclamen  persicum. 


76  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

in  a  pot  filled  with  sharp  sand,  kept  light  and  moist.  The 
cuttings  root  quickly  in  spring,  and  can  soon  be  potted  in 
3-  or  4-inch  pots  in  light  but  rich  soil.  They  should  be 
kept  cool  and  half-shaded  in  summer,  and  the  ordinary  winter 
temperature  of  a  room  suits  them  well.  Plants  raised  in  the 
spring  make  strong  flowering  specimens  by  the  next  spring, 
and  begin  to  flower  early.  During  winter  a  slight  rest  may 
be  given. 

Some  of  the  species  have  small  but  very  elegant  flowers  and 
are  very  floriferous,  and  none  of  the  gorgeous  double  varieties 
can  vie  with  them  in  beauty. 

The  best  species  are  : 

F.  fulgens,  with  very  long  trumpet-like  flowers  in  drooping 
clusters  of  a  scarlet  color.  Leaves  heart-shaped,  large  and 
robust. 

F.  gracilis  is  a  very  elegant  and  rich-blooming  species,  with 
axillary  small  purplish  flowers. 

F.  splendens,  with  green  and  scarlet  flowers.  Very  early 
flowering  and  beautiful. 

F.  globosa  is  a  common,  beautiful  species. 

Of  the  numerous  varieties  a  good  selection  is  kept  in  most 
greenhouses. 

Geraniums,  or  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  are  great  favorites,  be- 
cause of  their  easy  culture  and  dazzling  colors.  The  new 
Bruant  varieties  and  some  of  the  old  double  kinds  are  the  best 
for  house  culture.  Geraniums  are  easily  raised  by  means  of 
cuttings  at  any  time  of  the  year.  They  root  easily  and  can  be 
immediately  put  in  3-inch  pots  and  repotted  as  soon  as  well 
rooted.     Soil,  rich  and  light — not  particular. 

The  best  varieties  are  all  found  in  florists'  catalogues. 

For  Ivy-leaved  Geraniums  see  Trailers. 


POPULAR   FLORIST  FLOWERS  77 

Stocks  and  Wallflowers  are  very  neat  and  easily  grown 
subjects.  Stocks  for  winter-flowering  should  be  sown  in  sum- 
mer, pricked  off  into  separate  pots  when  sufficiently  large,  and 
grown  on  as  rapidly  as  possible  until  in  6-inch  pots.  They 
should  be  nipped  frequently  to  make  them  bushy,  and  must 
have  a  cool  and  light  place  with  plenty  of  water  during  the  sum- 
mer. Seeds  produce  only  a  certain  percentage  of  double  flowers. 
These  varieties,  if  exceptionally  fine,  can,  although  the  plant  is 
considered  annual,  be  readily  propagated  by  means  of  cuttings, 
simply  made  of  short  growing  side-shoots.  The  Wallflower  is 
perennial,  half-woody,  and  produces  extremely  fragrant  single 
or  double  flowers,  varying  in  colors  from  light  yellow  to  deep 
brown.  Unlike  the  single  Stocks,  single  Wallflowers  are  valu- 
able and  elegant.  They  are  raised  in  the  same  way  as  Stocks 
but  are  better  increased  by  cuttings.  Soil  for  Stocks  and  Wall- 
flowers must  be  rich,  porous,  and  should  contain  a  certain 
portion  of  old  mortar  if  obtainable.  Wallflowers  are  so  called 
because  they  often  grow  on  old  brick  walls  and  ruins,  where 
there  is  no  apparent  moisture  or  nutriment,  but  where  they  de- 
velop none  the  less  well. 

Gloxinias  are  tuberous-rooted  plants,  with  thick  fleshy  leaves 
and  large  and  showy  bell-shaped  flowers.  They  are  very  rich 
in  coloration,  one-colored,  dotted  or  blotched  on  either  dark 
or  light  bottom.  The  tubers  can  easily  be  obtained,  but  it  is 
better  to  buy  the  plants  in  bud  or  raise  them  from  seeds.  Seeds 
are  fine  and  should  be  treated  in  every  particular  like  those  of 
tuberous-rooted  Begonias.  They  should,  however,  be  sown 
earlier  and  kept  somewhat  warmer.  The  treatment  is  other- 
wise similar.  The  plants  flower  early  in  spring  and  summer, 
and  should  be  kept  cool  and  shaded  while  in  flower.  Gloxinias 
are  also  readily  increased  by  means  of  leaf-cuttings.      If  tubers 


73 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


are  bought,  they  should  be  started  in  a  warm  place  about  mid- 
winter or  earlier.  Gentle  sprayings  are  beneficial,  and  a  half- 
shaded  position  suits  them  best. 


.--;&>« 


m 


Heliotropes  are  favorite  flowers  and,  as  they  are  easily  grown, 
should  be  in  all  collections.  They  require  a  warm  tempera- 
ture and  plenty  of  moisture.  They  are  increased  by  means  of 
herbaceous,  brittle  cuttings  inserted  in  sand  close  to  the  rim  of 
a  pot  and  kept  warm.  The  cuttings  should  be  allowed  to  root 
well  before  being  potted  separately.  To  make  bushy,  sturdy 
plants,  pinch  the  young  shoots  often  and  keep  the  plants  in  a 
light  place.      Ordinary  light  and  rich  soil. 

The  Marguerite  or  Paris  daisy  is  a  kind  of  single  Chrysan- 
themum. It  flowers  from  the  earliest  spring  throughout  sum- 
mer, and  is  especially  valuable  because  it  can  be  had  in  flower 
early  in  the  season.  There  are  several  white  and  yellow 
varieties,  the  white  ones  being  most  valuable.      Increased   by 


POPULAR   FLORIST  FLOWERS  79 

means  of  cuttings  taken  any  time  of  the  year,  if  brittle  and 
herbaceous.      Soil  as  for  Geraniums  and  treatment  similar. 

Pelargonium.  Show-  or  English  Pelargoniums  are  increased 
in  and  grown  in  the  same  way  as  Geraniums,  but  in  somewhat 
richer  and  more  solid  soil.  Some  of  the  varieties  are  extreme- 
ly beautiful,  of  vivid,  velvety  colors.  They  flower  during 
spring  and  summer  and  bloom  for  a  long  time,  but  not  con- 
tinuously as  Geraniums.  The  Martha  Washington  variety  is 
most  common  in  America.     Others  can  be  had  of  most  florists. 

The  Petunias.  Double  Petunias  are  raised  from  cuttings,  and 
after  rooting  and  the  first  potting  do  well  under  a  treatment 
and  in  soil  similar  to  that  for  Geraniums.  Petunias  are  some- 
what difficult  to  root,  and  they  must  be  prevented  from  rotting. 
The  cuttings  should  be  made  of  soft  and  brittle  wood  and 
split  in  the  lower  end.  They  should  be  potted  rather  firmly 
and  kept  shaded  for  a  day  or  two  afterward.  There  are  many 
richly  colored,  striped,  and  mottled  varieties,  as  also  uni- 
colored  ones.     White  varieties  are  the  best. 


IV 


CACTI 


^ 


,HE  Cactus  family  is  one  of  the  most  curious  plant 
families  that  exist.  It  is  generally  characterized 
by  monstrous,  fleshy,  leafless  and  prickly  stems, 
sometimes  covered  with  hairs  and  wool.  There  are 
many  species,  with  exceedingly  large,  beautiful  flow- 
ers, that  flower  in  a  night  and  must  be  watched  for, 
to  be  seen.  Most  species  of  the  handsomest  genus  in  the  order, 
the  Phyllocactus,  flower,  however,  for  a  considerable  period 
and  are  then  beautiful  beyond  comparison.  Cacti  are  found 
in  hot  and  dry  countries  on  barren  hillsides,  where  for  years 
they  exist  and  develop  without  any  visible  supply  of  water. 
They  can  hardly  be  killed  by  drought,  but  careless  watering 
must  be  avoided.  Moderate  watering  during  the  growing  sea- 
son is  all  that  is  needed.  The  soil  should  be  gravelly  and 
light,  and  a  special  good  drainage  must  always  be  provided  for. 
These  plants  enjoy  all  the  sunshine  that  can  be  had,  but  will 
do  well  in  a  not  too  heavy  shade. 

Cereus  is  a  very  extensive  genus  of  mostly  erect,  columnar, 
hairy,  and  spiny  plants.  There  are,  however,  some  climbing 
and  trailing  plants  belonging  to  this  genus  of  great  beauty.  It 
is  chiefly  these  that  are  of  any  value  for  our  purpose.  C. 
flagelliformis  is  a  little  plant  with  finger-thick,  cylindrical,  hairy 
and  spiny  stems,  and  an   abundance  of  pink   flowers   in    the 


CACTI  8 1 

spring.      It  can  be  grown  in  small  hanging  baskets  of  earthen- 
ware. 

C.  grand iflor us.  This  is  a  night-blooming  species  with 
large  gorgeous  flowers  of  a  whitish  yellow  like  a  big  star. 
Very  fragrant.      Flowers  in  the  summer. 

C.  Mallisonii  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  all  cacti.  It  has 
long  slender  stems,  and  is  one  of  the  most  profuse  bloomers. 
The  flowers  are  of  medium  size,  of  a  bright  scarlet-crimson 
color.  The  plant  will  continue  to  flower  for  a  considerable 
period. 

C.  speciosissimus  is  a  very  showy  plant,  with  soft  and  slender 
three  to  four  angled  stems  and  whitish  aerial  roots.  Blooms 
profusely  in  the  summer.      Flowers  medium-sized,  rosy -scarlet. 

Epiphyllum  truncatum  is  a  little,  rich-flowering  species  with 
drooping  two-winged  stems.  It  is  generally  grafted  on  some 
other  cactus  to  bring  it  above  the  ground.  Flowers  generally 
rose-purple,  with  many  varieties,  expand  in  winter  or  spring. 
When  not  grafted  it  is  suitable  for  hanging  baskets. 

Echinocactus  and  Echinopsis  are  short  and  globular  forms 
with  many  varieties.  They  are  ribbed  and  hairy,  and  some- 
times covered  with  formidable  spines.  Flowers  generally  very 
fine. 

Melocactus  and  Mammillaria,  the  one  globular  and  ribbed, 
the  other  generally  consisting  of  fleshy,  pap-like  protuber- 
ances, hairy  and  spiny,  very  elegant  and  ornamental.  Flower 
rarely,  and  although  beautiful,  of  less  importance  on  that 
account. 

Opuntia  (Indian  Fig).  Is  a  common  genus  all  over  the 
Southern  States.  Some  species  have  large  and  showy  yellow 
flowers ;  others  are  more  remarkable  on  account  of  their 
curious  growth.       Some   Opuntias  are   tall  and  robust  plants, 


WINDOW  AXD  PARLOR   GARDEMXG 


with  flat -jointed  or  cylindrical  stems.     As  they  are  easily  grown 
and  rather  picturesque,  they  may  be  worth  a  trial. 

Pereskia  is  a  plant  with  rich  and  luxuriant  foliage,  and 
although  spiny,  greatly  different  in  appearance  from  most  other 
Cacti.      It  is  of  a  rambling  habit,  and   as  it  is  hardy  in   the 

south,  is  generally  used  to  cover 
verandas  and  porches.  The  flow- 
ers, though  pretty,  are  insignifi- 
cant. 

Phyllocactus  deserves  universal 
culture,  not  only  for  its  flowers 
but  because  of  its  neat,  ornamental 
habit.  There  are  several  species. 
of  which  some  are  night-flowering. 
P.  Ackermannii  has  beautiful 
crimson  flowers  on  slender  flat- 
tened stems  of  a  fine  green  color. 
It  has  a  rather  bushy  habit,  and 
when  covered  with  flowers  in  the 
summer  is  very  handsome. 

P.   crenatus,  with  creamy-white 
flowers,  has  many  varieties  ;  scar- 
let,   orange,    pink,    and    crimson. 
This  is  one  of  the  finest  and  most  widely  grown  species. 

P.  phyllanthoides  is  a  very  floriferous  form,  with  pale  rose- 
colored  flowers  on  flattened  crenated  stems. 

Phyllocactus,  several  Cereus,  Opuntias,  and  Pereskias  can 
easily  be  increased  by  means  of  cuttings,  which,  after  taking, 
should  be  allowed  to  lie  a  day  or  two  before  inserted.  Any 
piece  of  the  stem  provided  with  a  bud  will  generally  grow,  but 
young,  just  ripened  shoots  are  the  best.     The  globular-shaped 


Phyllocactus  Acker>, 


CACTI  83 

forms  of  Cacti  enumerated  above  are  increased  by  seed  ;  but 
this  being  a  slow  process,  they  should  be  bought  from  a  collec- 
tion, as  they  are  inexpensive.  Phyllocactus,  Cereus,  Opuntia, 
and  Pereskia  should  be  grown  in  rich,  sandy  soil. 


OTHER    SUCCULENTS 


1HERE  are  numerous  succulent  plants  of  an  ex- 
tremely neat  habit,  with  bright-colored,  attractive 
flowers,  such  as  Sempervivums,  Crassulas,  and 
Echeverias  that,  although  inferior  in  size,  are  very 
^SEfiJ  ornamental  in  a  window.  The  following  are  a 
f  the  most  interesting  kinds  : 
Cotyledon.  Navelwort.  This  is  a  genus 
of  plants  with  fleshy,  wedge-shaped  leaves 
disposed  in  rosettes,  neat  and  compact  in 
habit,  which  reproduce  themselves  freely 
by  means  of  offsets.  Most  of  the  species 
are  hardy.  The  genus  includes  Echcvcria. 
of  which  E.  agavoides,  coccinca,  metallica. 
Peacockii,  and  secunda  are  well-known 
plants  used  in  carpet-bedding.  They  pro- 
duce racemes  of  charming,  mostly  orange 
or  orange -scarlet  or  red  flowers.  These 
plants  are  useful  in  window-boxes,  or  for 
bordering  large  vas 

Crassula  and  Rochea  are  nearly  allied 
plants.      C.  coccinca  is  a  plant  of  an  erect 
habit,  about  a  foot  high,  with  slender  stems  and  small  triangu- 
lar, fleshy  leaves,  bearing  a  head  of  long  tubular  scarlet  flowers 


,i 


Crassula  jas*ninea. 


OTHER  SUCCULENTS  85 

in  winter  or  spring.  C.  jasminea  is  similar  to  this  in  habit, 
but  has  white  flowers.  Propagated  by  cuttings  that  should  lie 
a  day  or  two  before  insertion.  A  light,  rich,  sandy  soil  is  suit- 
able. Well-grown  plants  of  these  are  very  ornamental  and  last 
a  long  time  in  flower. 

Rochea  falcata  is  one  of  the  oldest  inhabitants  in  gardens. 
It  is  a  curious-looking  plant,  with  2  to  3  inches  long  falcate, 
thick  and  fleshy  leaves,  disposed  spirally  on  the  rather  tall 
stems.  Has  nice  crimson  flowers,  and  is  very  picturesque  at 
all  times.  Soil  as  above,  with  addition  of  old  mortar  or  simi- 
lar stuff. 

Bryophyllum  is  a  tall-growing  shrub,  with  long  pinnately 
divided  fleshy  leaves,  remarkable  for  the  quality  of  forming 
numerous  little  plants  at  the  termination  of  the  veins  on  the 
notched  edge.  It  is  thus  easily  propagated.  The  flowers  are 
insignificant.      Soil  as  for  Crassula. 

Mesembryanthemums  are  curious,  fleshy,  often  shrubby 
plants,  with  flowers  in  outward  appearance  resembling  Asters 
or  Daisies.  The  flowers  are  generally  handsome  and  brightly 
colored,  and  expand  in  sunshine. 

M.  anstrale  is  a  kind  sometimes  seen  in  American  green- 
houses. It  has  slender,  shrubby,  creeping  stems,  and  will  be 
seen  on  bright  summer  days,  completely  covered  with  numerous 
small,  bright-pink  flowers.  Leaves  very  small  and  fleshy. 
Good  for  hanging-baskets  or  window-boxes. 

M.  caulescens  is  another  pretty,  shrubby  kind,  with  long,  awl- 
shaped  leaves,  and  rather  large,  rose-colored,  fragrant  flowers. 

M.  cordifolium  variegatum,  with  variegated  leaves  and  creep- 
ing stems,  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  its  foliage.  Propagated  by 
seeds  or  cuttings.  This  plant  is  very  useful  in  vases,  baskets, 
and  window  boxes,  and  is  largely  used  for  carpet-bedding. 


86  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR   GARDENING 

M.  multiflorum,  with  white  flowers  and  some  varieties,  and 
M.  pomeridianum,  with  very  large  yellow  flowers,  are  also 
common.      Ordinary  light,  sandy  soil. 

Sedum  Sieboldii  is  a  very  fine,  old  house  plant,  low  and 
trailing  in  habit,  and  admirably  suited  for  hanging  baskets. 
Leaves  roundish,  three  in  a  whorl.  Flowers  in  umbellate 
cymes,  pink.     There  is  a  fine  variety  with  variegated  leaves. 

Sempervivums  (House-leek)  are  plants  somewhat  similar  to 
Echeverias  in  habit,  having  numerous  leaves  disposed  in 
rosettes.  Leaves  less  fleshy,  generally  spatulate.  S.  Arbor- 
escens  is  a  rather  handsome  shrub,  with  racemes  of  yellow 
flowers.  S.  Arachnoideum  is  remarkable  for  its  covering  of 
threads  like  a  spider's  web.  S.  tabulreforme  has  wide,  abso- 
lutely flat  rosettes  of  leaves,  and  tall  peduncles  with  numerous 
yellow  flowers. 

Aloe  belongs  to  the  lily  family,  and  consists  of  numerous 
species  of  tall,  gaudy  shrubs,  with  long  and  grotesque  fleshy 
leaves,  smaller  but  not  unlike  those  of  a  Century-plant.  The 
leaves  are  glaucous,  or  green,  or  with  conspicuous  black  spots. 
The  flowers  are  born  in  erect  racemes  and  are  tubular,  gener- 
ally greenish-yellow,  with  a  red  apex. 

Aloe  variegata  is  one  of  the  most  common  plants  to  be 
seen  in  windows  in  Europe.  It  is  very  pretty,  with  spotted 
leaves. 

A.  vera,  saponaria,  cassia,  and  other  forms  are  larger,  and  as 
young  plants  are  very  suitable.  Propagated  by  cuttings  or 
seeds.  Soil  rich  and  sandy,  with  an  admixture  of  old  brick 
rubbish  and  mortar.      Pots  to  be  well  drained. 

Gasteria  is  a  plant  similar  in  habits  to  the  Aloe,  but  much 
smaller.  These  are  neat  plants  for  the  window,  and  very 
decorative,  in  or  out  of  bloom.      ().  maculata,  variolosa,  and 


O  THER   SUCCUL  EN  TS 


87 


verucosa   are  especially   beautiful,  with    tall   graceful   spikes  of 
flowers. 


American  Aloe.     Agave  americana. 


Agave.     American  Aloe.     The  common  Century-plant  or 
American  Aloe  is  too  well   known   to  need   description.     Its 


88  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

decorative  use  is  well  known,  and  its  culture  very  easy.  There 
are,  however,  a  few  smaller  species  of  the  same  genus  that  de- 
serve a  trial  for  the  sake  of  their  neat  habit.  Among  these 
suffice  it  to  mention:  A.  filifera,  with  long  pointed  leaves.  A. 
Roezliana,  with  a  rosette  of  comparatively  short  leaves.  A.  Vic- 
toria? Reginre  and  A.  Yuccaefolia. 

Othonna  crassifolia  is  a  curious  plant  of  the  composite  fam- 
ily, with  cylindrical,  fleshy  leaves  of  a  glaucous  color,  and 
small  yellow  flowers  on  long,  slender  petioles.  The  stems  are 
trailing,  almost  thread-like.  Fine  for  hanging-baskets.  Soil 
rich  and  fibrous  with  plenty  of  sand,  ordinary. 


VI 

THE  LILY  AND  AMARYLLIS  FAMILIES 

ANY  attractive  plants  belong  to  these  families,  and 
as  they  are  easily  grown,  have  become  quite 
popular.  Some  have  bulbs,  other  fleshy  roots 
and  rootstocks;  they  are  chiefly  propagated  by 
offsets. 

Agapanthus  umbellatus.  African  Lily.  This 
is  a  strong  growing,  ever-green  plant,  with  long,  strap-shaped 
leaves  and  tall  scapes,  with  umbells  of  azure  flowers.  It  re- 
quires plenty  of  moisture  and  rich  soil,  and  develops  rapidly 
under  good  treatment  to  fine  specimens.  The  plants  should  be 
allowed  to  increase  in  size  year  after  year,  as  large  plants  are 
very  handsome  when  in  flower.  Large  tubs,  boxes,  or  pots  will 
be  required  for  strong  specimens. 

Amaryllis  is  a  genus  of  beautiful  bulbous  plants,  with  mostly 
ever-green  leaves.  During  the  growing  season,  from  early 
spring  to  the  fall,  the  plants  require  abundant  water.  After 
that  they  should  have  a  slight  rest  until  January  or  February, 
but  must  not  be  entirely  dried  off,  when  they  will  soon  bloom. 
Good,  rich,  yet  light  and  somewhat  sandy,  soil  is  most  suitable. 
A.  Ackermanni  has  large  crimson  flowers,  but  there  are  many 
varieties  of  different  colors. 

A.  Johnsonii  is  one  of  the  most  common  species  ;  has  red 
flowers  broadly  striped  with  white. 


9° 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


A.  vittata  has  white  flowers,  with  two  red  stripes  on  each 
segment.  Of  these  there  are  many  hybrids  and  varieties  of  rich 
coloring  and  extremely  large  flowers. 

A.  formosissima  is  a  peculiar  Mexican  species,  with  deep, 
velvety,  crimson  flowers. 

Vallota  purpurea.  Scarborough  Lily,  was  formerly  classed 
under  the  above  genus.  It  is  a  handsome  plant,  with  some- 
what smaller  rosy-red  flowers.  The  plants  should  not  be  dis- 
turbed,   as    old-established    plants    flower    best.      Pot    several 

bulbs  together  quite  deep- 
ly in  a  large  pot  or  pan, 
in  rich  soil,  as  for  Ama- 
ryllis. 

The  Amazon  lily,  Eu- 
charis  Amazonica,  is  a 
tropical  plant  of  great 
beauty,  producing  um- 
bells  of  very  large  white 
flowers.  It  is  easy  of 
culture,  but  requires  fre- 
quent washing  and  plenty 
of  water  during  its  sea- 
son of  growth.  Bulbs 
should  be  planted  deep- 
ly in  rich,  fibrous  soil, 
Requires    heat   and    moist- 


Amazon   Lily.     ISucharis  Awazo/iica. 

and    left   undisturbed  for    years. 


Crinum  is  a  genus  of  very  large  bulbous  plants,  some  of 
which  are  found  wild  in  the  South. 

C.  Amabile  has  leaves  3  to  4  feet  in  length,  broad  and 
soft.     The  flower  scape  rises  above  the  arching  leaves,  with  an 


THE  LILY  AND  AMARYLLIS  FAMILIES  91 

umbell  of  numerous  white  fragrant  flowers.   Flowers  in  summer. 
Handsome  on  the  veranda  or  in  the  hall. 

C.  capense  and  C.  Americanum  are  two  other  desirable 
species.  These  should  be  grown  in  rich,  fibrous  soil  in  well- 
drained  pots.  They  require  plenty  of  water  during  the  growing 
season  and  a  partial  rest  in  winter. 

Hymenocallis.  The  Spider  Lily,  is  a  peculiar  genus  of  de- 
sirable plants,  with  mostly  white,  sweet-scented  flowers. 

H.  Andreana  has  a  single  large  flower  on  a  slender  scape. 
Leaves  long,  strap-shaped. 

H.  rotata,  a  Florida  plant  with  white  flowers  on  a  many- 
flowered  scape.  Flower-perianth  with  linear  segments  and 
large  corona.     A  very  interesting  plant. 

H.  speciosa  is  a  very  handsome  plant  with  pure  white  flow- 
ers.    For  culture  see  Crinum. 

Imantophyllum  miniatum  is  a  striking  plant  of  distichous 
habit,  with  long  sword-shaped  leaves,  and  umbells  of  about 
fifteen  orange-red  flowers  borne  on  stout  scapes.  It  is  a  plant 
with  rootstock  and  fleshy  roots,  enjoys  rich  fibrous  soil,  with 
plenty  of  manure,  and  abundant  water  during  the  summer 
months.  Large,  well-established  specimens  are  very  ornamental 
for  the  hall  or  parlor.     Enjoys  partial  shade. 

I.  cyrtanthiflorum  is  a  species  with  smaller,  not  less  elegant 
flowers. 

Nerine.  Guernsey  Lily.  A  little  genus  of  small,  ornamental, 
bulbous  plants  with  deciduous  foliage.  They  require  plenty  of 
water  during  the  growing  season,  after  which  they  should  be 
allowed  to  rest  until  the  new  growth  begins  to  push.  The  soil 
should  be  rich  and  the  pots  well  drained  with  crocks  and 
broken  pieces  of  charcoal. 

N.  sarniensis,  with  varieties  of  different  colors  from  salmon 


92  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

to  scarlet,  and  glowing  crimson,  is  a  very  handsome  autumn- 
flowering  species.  These  are  somewhat  similar  to,  but  smaller 
than  Amaryllis. 

Zephyranth.es  rosea,  when  well  grown,  produces  an  abund- 
ance of  handsome,  erect,  rosy-red  flowers  on  single  scapes.  The 
flowering  time  is  spring.  Leaves  linear,  about  6  inches  long. 
This  is  rather  common  in  America.  It  requires  rich  but  a 
somewhat  sandy  soil  and  plenty  of  light  and  water  while  grow- 
ing, and  a  partial  rest  afterward. 

Scilla  italica  is  a  plant  with  a  very  large,  greenish  bulb,  and 
long,  arching  leaves.  It  is  often  seen  in  windows  and  is  quite 
ornamental.  The  flowers  are  insignificant.  It  will  grow  well 
in  ordinary  soil  with  moderate  watering. 

Sanseviera.  Bow-string  Hemp.  Plants  with  very  stiff, 
narrow,  erect,  white-spotted  foliage.  They  are  rather  pretty 
foliage-plants  and  easily  grown  in  rich  soil.  They  will  do  well 
in  shade  but  require  plenty  of  water  and  a  warm  position. 

Yucca.  Adam's  needle,  or  Spanish  Bayonette.  Several 
plants  of  this  genus  are  very  useful  for  growing  in  vases,  and  a 
few  are  valuable  pot-plants. 

Y.  aloefolia  variegata  has  leaves  striped  with  white,  and  is 
of  a  very  regular  habit.  The  almost  hardy,  and  hardy,  forms 
are  plentiful  in  parks  and  gardens,  and  although  very  beautiful 
when  in  flower,  hardly  suitable  as  window  -  plants  in  this 
country.  Y.  recurva,  with  narrow,  variegated  leaves,  is  very 
handsome. 

Yuccas  should  be  grown  in  rich  but  gravelly  soil,  and  can 
stand  much  rough  treatment,  plenty  of  sunshine  and  drought. 


VII 

ORCHIDS 


/HE  strangest  and  most  beautiful  of  all  flowers  are  to 
be  found  in  the  Orchid  family.  Sometimes  of  im 
mense  size,  they  combine  beauty  of  form  with  the 
most  exquisite  color,  and  are  generally  more  or  less 
fragrant.  But  they  are  not  only  remarkable  on  ac- 
count of  their  outward  form ;  the  admirable  construction  of 
their  organs  of  fertilization  is  wonderful  without  compare.  The 
strange  resemblance  of  many  Orchid  blossoms  to  birds,  insects, 
and  butterflies  is  also  very  remarkable.  They  depend  on  insects 
for  their  fertilization  and  reproduction,  and  the  flowers  produce 
plenty  of  honey  in  curiously  constructed  nectaries  for  the  re- 
freshment of  their  tiny  visitors,  which  are  of  so  great  impor- 
tance to  them. 

Orchids  are  mostly  air-plants,  living  on  trees  in  tropical  and 
subtropical  countries,  and  taking  up  their  nutriment  chiefly 
from  the  air  by  means  of  fleshy  aerial  roots.  Fresh  air  is, 
therefore,  a  necessity  to  their  growth.  Many  of  these  beauti- 
ful plants  are  extremely  easy  of  culture,  and  several  of  the  very 
best  kinds  will  do  well  in  a  well-ventilated  dwelling-house  in 
sunny  or  half-shady  positions.  The  stems  and  leaves  are  gen- 
erally fleshy,  of  a  grotesque  and  picturesque  appearance.  The 
genus  Cypripedium,  or  Lady -slippers,  has,  however,  very  orna- 
mental foliage  springing  directly  from  a  crown  of  fleshy  roots. 


94 


WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 


Most  Orchids  need  a  partial  rest  after  the  growing  season. 
Their  beautiful  flowers  appear,  as  a  rule,  during  this  period  of 
rest.  When  growth  is  finished,  water  should  be  given  sparingly 
until  the  new  growths  appear. 

The  best  material  for  growing  Orchids  is  fibrous  peat  and 
fresh  sphagnum  moss,  mixed  in  about  equal  proportions.  The 
pots,  or  pans,  or  baskets  should  be  well  drained  by  means  of 
clean  pieces  of  broken  pots.  The  fleshy  roots  will  sometimes 
attach  themselves  to  pots  and  baskets,  and  should,  if  possible, 
not  be  broken  in  re-potting.  Large  pots  should  be  avoided. 
During  the  period  of  growth  copious  watering  is  necessary,  and 
in  the  case  of  Orchids  grown  in  a  dwelling-house,  frequent 
washing  of  stems  and  leaves  is  very  beneficial. 

The  varieties  here  recommended  will  do  well  in  the  ordi- 
nary temperature  of  an  apartment 
comfortable  to  live  in,  but  they 
should  not  be  grown  in  close,  ill- 
ventilated,  or  excessively  dry  apart- 
ments. 

Cattleya,  a  large  and  beautiful 
genus,  stands  foremost  among  the 
many  types  of  popular  Orchids.  The 
flowers  are  very  large  with  spread- 
ing petals,  highly  colored  lip,  and 
are  sometimes  produced  in  clus- 
ters of  two  or  more.  They  last  in 
perfection  for  a  considerable  time. 
C.  Trianre  is  the  most  common  species,  varying  in  color 
from  pure  white  to  deep  rosy-lilac,  with  a  lip  gorgeously 
blotched  with  orange  and  deep  purple.  It  flowers  during 
midwinter. 


Cattleya  Triance, 


ORCHIDS  95 

C.  Mendelii  produces  large  white  flowers  with  purplish  lip, 
somewhat  later  in  the  season. 

C.  Mossire  flowers  during  the  early  summer  months.  The 
flowers  are  very  large,  varying  in  color  from  pale  to  deep  rosy- 
lilac.     The  fringed  lip  is  blotched  with  bright  golden  yellow. 

C.  Percivalliana  blooms  from  late  autumn  to  midwinter.  The 
flowers  are  highly  colored,  the  lip  of  a  deep  crimson-purple 
with  orange  veins. 

Laelia  is  a  genus  nearly  allied  to  Cattleya,  but  the  flowers 
are  considerably  smaller  in  most  species.  L.  Anceps  is  an  au- 
tumn-flowering species  producing  loose  spikes  of  rosy-purple 
flowers.  It  can  be  grown  successfully  on  blocks  of  wood  with 
a  little  moss  and  peat.  L.  Perrinii  is  a  very  fine  species 
much  resembling  a  Cattleya.  It  blooms  during  October  and 
November.  L.  purpurata  flowers  in  the  spring,  producing  on 
stout  erect  peduncles  several  very  large  white  flowers  with 
crimson-purple  lip. 

Ccelogyne  cristata  is  one  of  the  finest  winter-flowering 
orchids,  with  snowy-white  flowers.  The  plant  is  very  compact 
with  narrow  strap-shaped  leaves,  and  when  well  grown  will  be 
almost  covered  with  flowers  at  Christmas-time.  It  likes  a  cool, 
shady  position  and  plenty  of  moisture,  and  should  be  grown 
in  shallow  pans. 

Odontoglossums  are  very  graceful  plants  from  the  Andes 
of  South  America,  where  they  grow  in  high  altitudes.  The 
''Baby  Orchid,"  O.  grande,  has  large  yellow  flowers  marked 
with  brownish  bars.  Flowers  in  September  and  later.  O. 
Rossi  majus  has  white  flowers  with  brown  spots,  appearing  dur- 
ing the  late  winter  months.  These  species  should  be  grown  in 
a  cool  and  somewhat  shady  place,  and  must  be  given  a  thor- 
ough rest  in  winter. 


96 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


Oncidium  is  a  genus  nearly  allied  to  the  last.  The  flowers 
are  strange  and  beautiful,  often  produced  in  very  large  racemes. 
The  common  Butterfly  Orchid,  Oncidium  Papilio,  is  curious 
but  not  beautiful,  and  therefore  not  worth  growing  in  a  house. 
O.  Forbesii  is  a  beautiful  plant  with  long  arching  racemes  of 
copper-colored  flowers  edged  with  clear  yellow.  Blooms  in 
the  fall.  O.  varicosum  and  O.  tigrinum  have  flowers  borne  on 
long  arching  peduncles  ;  varicosum  in  ample  branching  ra- 
cemes. The  flowers  are  yellow,  blotched  and  barred  with 
chestnut-brown.  The  Oncidiums  can  be  grown  on  blocks  of 
wood  or  in  baskets  ;  they  require  good  drainage  if  grown  in 
pots,  abundant  water  during  growth,  and  moderate  heat  with  a 
p        decided  rest  in  winter. 

Dendrobium,  a  large  East  Indian 
genus,  forms  one  of  the  most  popular 
and  useful  families.  The  plants  pro- 
duce more  or  less  long,  terate  or 
clavate  stems,  from  the  nodes  of  which 
the  flowers  are  produced  in  clusters. 
They  require  plenty  of  heat  and  sun. 
a  well-marked  rest  during  winter,  and 
plenty  of  water  during  the  growing 
period.  D.  nobile  is  a  very  attractive 
and  easily  grown  plant,  with  erect, 
fleshy  stems  of  a  finger's  thickness, 
and  a  few  lanceolate  leaves  at  the 
apex.  The  flowers  are  produced  in 
small  clusters  from  ripe  stems.  The 
lilac ;  lip  crimson  with  deep  maroon 
I).  Wardianum  has  long  arching  stems 


color    is   white-tinted 
blotch  in  the  throat. 


and  splendid  white  flowers  ;  lip  yellow  in  the  centre  with  large, 


ORCHIDS 


97 


deep  crimson  spots.      Flowers  in  profusion  in  early  spring,  and 
is  a  very  handsome  plant. 

Lycaste  Skinnerii  is  one  of  the  best  Orchids  for  general  use. 
The  long,  broad,  arching  leaves  are  produced  on  ovate  pseudo- 
bulbs.  The  flowers  spring  from  the  base  of  these  and  are  pro- 
duced singly  on  long  peduncles.  They  are  large,  of  a  more  or 
less  deep  purple  color  with  darker  lip  ;  sometimes  white  and 


Lycaste  Skinnerii. 

then  more  valuable.  Czrown  in  well-drained  pots  in  a  mixt- 
ure of  peat,  small  pieces  of  well  -  decayed  cow  manure,  and 
sphagnum  moss. 

Cypripedium.  The  Lady's  Slipper,  is  very  easily  grown.  It 
has  no  pseudo-bulbs  ;  the  leaves  are  more  or  less  long,  strap- 
shaped  or  ensiform.  The  foliage  of  some  species  is  very  hand- 
some, of  a  silvery-gray  color,  blotched  with  deep  green.  C. 
insigne  has  long,  green,  strap-shaped  leaves,  and  flowers  of  a 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


greenish-yellow,  clotted  and  blotched  with  black.  The  upper 
sepal  edged  and  striped  with  pure  white.  C.  barbatum  has 
handsome  mottled  leaves  and  large  erect  flowers.  Upper 
sepal  white  with  strong  brown  veins;  lip  blackish-purple; 
petals  bordered  with  hairy  glands.  C.  Lawrencianum  is  a  very 
floriferous  species  of  the  same  type  as  the  above.  Flowers 
of  a  brownish-green  color  with  white  dorsal  sepal  and  black- 
purple  veins. 

C.  Spicerianum  is  a  still  more  beautiful  species,  yellowish- 
green  with  a  broad  white  up- 
per sepal  with  black  veins. 

The  Lady's  Slippers  can  be 
grown  on  year  after  year  with- 
out rest.  They  require  a  tem- 
perature of  about  70  degrees, 
and  plenty  of  moisture.  Large 
specimen  plants  when  in  flower 
are  very  showy.  With  C.  in- 
signe  flowering  from  Decem- 
ber to  March,  C.  barbatum 
from  March  to  midsummer,  and 
C.  Spicerianum  during  the  late 
autumn  months,  an  almost  continuous  supply  of  flowers  can  be 
had  from  these  species  alone. 

The  above  selection  of  Orchids  have  all  been  found  to  do 
well  in  dwelling-houses.  They  will  perhaps,  when  better 
known,  be  more  useful  for  this  purpose  than  most  other  plants. 


Lady's   Slipper.     Cypripedium  insigne. 


VIII 


THE    CALLA    FAMILY 

UEER  little  Jack-in-the-Pulpit  and  his  family  form 
an  interesting  set  of  plants.  They  are  chiefly  re- 
markable for  their  beautiful  foliage,  which  is  often 
richly  and  finely  colored.  There  are  some  fine 
tropical  climbers  with  fleshy  stems  and  aerial  roots, 
but  most  Aroids  arc  low,  herbaceous  plants  with 
succulent  roots.  The  flowers  are  inconspicuous,  disposed  on 
a  fleshy  axis  called  a  spathe,  and  protected  by  large  colored 
bracts,  which  in  the  case  of  the  com- 
mon Calla  are  white,  and  in  the  Fla- 
mingo plants  deep  scarlet.  Some 
plants  of  this  family,  when  flowering, 
emit  a  strong,  disagreeable  odor,  and 
are  therefore  not  desirable  as  house 
plants;  others  are  of  too  delicate  a 
nature,  and  require  plenty  of  moisture. 
The  Calla ;  Richardia  cethio- 
pica,  is  one  of  the  most  useful 
plants  for  a  house.  It  should  be 
grown  on  steadily,  summer  and  win- 
ter, but  may  lie  kept  somewhat  dry 
during  the  earlier  winter  months.  Callas  require  rich  soil  and 
plenty  of  water  during  the  summer.  There  are  a  couple  of 
varieties    considerably  smaller  than    the    common   form.      The 


Aiithurium  crystaltinum. 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


Yellow  Calla  is  a  fine  plant  with  mottled  leaves  and  pure  yellow 
"flowers."  There  is  another  species  with  white  flowers  and 
white-spotted  leaves.  This  latter  can  easily  be  grown  from 
seeds,  the  others  by  means  of  offsets. 

The  Flamingo  plant ;  Anthurium  Scherzcrianum,  has 
"flowers"  of  a  waxy  texture  and  very  bright  scarlet  color. 
The  leaves  are  leathery,  ovate-lance- 
olate. The  plant  when  in  flower 
remains  beautiful  for  a  long  period. 
Peaty,  fibrous  soil  is  most  suitable  for 
all  Anthuriums. 

Caladiums.  Are  very  brightly 
colored  foliage  -  plants.  They  lie 
dormant  during  winter,  and  should  be 
left  in  the  pots  in  a  dry  condition 
until  starting.  As  soon  as  the  young 
leaves  begin  to  grow,  the  tubers  should 
be  potted  in  light  sandy,  humus-rich 
soil.  Plenty  of  water  should  be  giv- 
en during  the  growing  period.  They 
last  in  beauty  for  a  considerable  time. 
When  the  color  begins  to  fade,  and 
the  leaves  lose  their  lustre,  withdraw 
water  gradually  and  keep  the  pots  in  a  dry,  cool  place.  C. 
arzyritis  is  a  dwarf  form  with  white-veined  foliage. 

The  Alocacias  can  be  treated  in  a  similar  way,  but  may  also 
be  kept  growing  all  the  year  round.  The  leaves  are  of  great  vari- 
ety, some  of  an  almost  metallic  appearance,  others  bright  green 
or  variegated  with  white.  They  are  mostly  broadly  hastate  or 
shield-like  in  outline.  A.  metallica,  macrohiza  variegata,  and 
Sanderiana,  are  fine,  desirable  forms. 


Alocacia,  macrohiza  fol.  var. 


THE    CALLA   FAMILY 


Anthurium  crystallinum  is  a  plant  of  similar  appearance. 
It  has  large,  cordate  leaves  about  a  foot  and  a  half  long,  with  a 
glistening  surface  and  white  ribs. 

Curmeria  Wallisii.      This  is  a  very  compact  and  beautiful 
plant,  with  ovate  leathery  leaves,  finely  spotted  green  and  yel- 
low.     Requires  heat  and  moisture  for  its  development,  hence 
it  is  best  fur  a  terrarium  when  grown  as  a  house  plant.     Propa- 
gated by  division,  and  grown 
in  rich,  fibrous  soil. 

Diffenbachia  is  the  name 
of  a  number  of  plants  with 
yellow-spotted  leaves.  They 
form  a  slender  stem,  and  are 
graceful  and  ornamental.  They 
are  best  suitable  for  the  South, 
but  can  also  be  grown  in  the 
North  in  double  windows  or 
in  large  glass  cases. 

Philodendrum  verucosum. 
This  is  a  curious  little  climb- 
ing plant,  with  fleshy  stems 
and  numerous  air-roots.  The 
leaves  are  cordate  in  outline, 
of  a  velvety  lustre,  deep  olive- 
green.  A  neat  little  subject 
for  a  terrarium.  Will  grow 
in  peat  and  moss,  and  requires  constant  heat  and  moisture. 

Phyllotcenium  Lindenii  is  the  best  foliage-plant  of  this 
class  forming  masses  of  fine  variegated  leaves.  The  leaf  is 
hastate  in  outline,  quite  large,  white  in  the  middle  and  along 
the  principal  veins. 


Dicffen  bach  ia . 


102  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR   GARDENING 

All  Aroids  like  rich  vegetable  soil  and  a  partially  shaded  po- 
sition. They  are  easily  grown  plants,  propagated  by  means  of 
seeds  or  division  of  the  rootstock,  or  by  cuttings. 


Phyllotan  in  m  I.  indnt  i 


The  species  here  described  love  heat  and  moisture.  The 
warmest  place  in  the  house  should  be  reserved  for  them.  A 
suitable  bay-window  or  a  terrarium  is  best  for  nearly  all  plants 
of  this  family. 

The  Phyllotsenium  and  the  common  Calla  may  be  grown 
almost  anywhere,  and  will  do  well  in  ordinary  rich,  fibrous 
soil. 


IX 


THE    PINE-APPLE    FAMILY 


LL  plants  of  this  family  arc  of  a  peculiar  stiff  and 
rigid  appearance.  The  majority  are  air-plants, 
living  as  Epiphytes  in  dense  tropical  woods,  where 
the  exquisite  beauty  of  their  flowers  is  seldom  seen 
by  human  eyes.  Some  have  no  roots,  but  exist 
through  nutriment  taken  up  directly  from  the  air.  In  flower- 
ing the  main  plant  generally  dies,  leaving  several  young  ones 
around  its  base  to  continue  the  struggle  for  existence.  The 
flowers  appear  in  terminal  spikes,  and  are  protected  by  bracts, 
which  are  sometimes  highly  colored.  Most  of  these  plants  are 
grown  exclusively  for  the  beauty  of  their  foliage,  which  is  often 
curiously  spotted,  mottled,  or  veined.  No  plants  can  be  more 
indifferent  to  outward  conditions  ;  moisture  or  drought,  sun- 
shine or  shadow,  seem  to  be  equally  acceptable.  In  cultivation 
they  require  only  little  soil,  composed  of  peat,  moss,  and  char- 
coal, but  plenty  of  water  is  beneficial.  All  can  be  propagated 
by  means  of  seeds  or  offsets.  Seeds  should  be  sown  in  shallow 
pans  in  peaty  soil,  covered  by  glass,  and  kept  moist  and  some- 
what shady  in  a  temperature  of  about  seventy  degrees.  The 
best  kinds  for  general  use  are: 

Achmea  fulgens.  Leaves  broadly  strap-shaped,  curving, 
parallel-veined.  Flowers  on  erect  scapes  from  the  centre  of  the 
plant  in  a  close  terminal  panicle.  Flowers  scarlet,  with  bluish 
segments. 


104 


WIND  (J  IV  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


Billbergia  nutans  is  a  handsome  winter-flowering  plant. 
Leaves  long,  strap-shaped,  spiny,  spreading.  Flowers  red  and 
yellow,  in  long  loose  spikes,  on  slender  nodding  peduncles, 
bracts  red.     Grow  in  light,  rich  soil  in  pots. 

Bromelia  Ananas  variegata.  Pine-apple  with  variegated 
leaves  is  a  very  handsome  foliage-plant.  The  leaves  are  green, 
with  broad  bands  of  white,  suffused  with  crimson.  Very  valu- 
able for  vases  and  as  a  common  window  plant.  Fine  for  table 
decoration.     Soil  as  for  Billbergia. 

Massangea  hieroglyphica  is  like  an  Achmea  in  appearance, 
with  finely  tessallated  leaves,  green  with  almost  black,  irregular 
bars.     This  is  a  very  neat  and  attractive  plant. 


Tillanrfsia  iplendens. 

Tillandsia,  to  which  genus  the  Florida  air-plant  and  the 
Spanish  moss  belong,  consists  mainly  of  Epiphytes  very  dis- 
similar in  appearance.  T.  psittacina  has  short,  strap-shaped, 
slightly  curving  foliage.      Flowers  in  a  short  spike  with  scarlet 


THE   PINE-APPLE  FAMILY  105 

bracts.  T.  pulchra  is  another  kind  with  pretty  flowers. 
T.  splendens,  has  the  foliage  barred  with  almost  black,  regular 
spots. 

Most  of  the  foregoing  species  can  be  grown  on  blocks  of 
wood,  or  in  baskets  in  peat  and  moss  as  recommended  for  Or- 
chids. They  should  be  kept  moist  during  summer,  and  have 
a  thorough  rest  in  winter.  When  well  grown  and  kept  clean  and 
free  from  dust,  they  are  highly  ornamental,  and  useful  for  table 
decoration. 

A  terrarium  or  double  window  will  suit  all,  but  even  in  the 
most  arid  atmosphere  and  under  the  most  adverse  conditions 
they  generally  do  well,  provided  watering  is  not  overdone. 


X 

PALMS 

j 
\LMS  are  tropical  plants  of  great  beauty.    Their  large 

leaves  are  borne  on  slender,  simple  stems,  which 
often  rise  to  a  considerable  height,  a  picture  of 
lightness  and  elegance.  The  stems  sometimes 
divide  at  the  base  and  form  bushy  specimens,  as  is 
always  the  case  with  the  very  common  and  very 
beautiful  Arcca  lutcsccns  and  a  few  of  our  own  dwarf  palms. 
The  leaves  are  often  of  a  gigantic  size,  reaching  a  length  of 
thirty  or  forty  feet,  and  a  width  of  five.  The  smaller  forms  are 
most  desirable  for  house  culture,  as  they  remain  at  a  convenient 
si/.e  for  years.  Even  in  a  small  state,  when  clean  and  healthy. 
palms  are  very  ornamental.  Some  have  feather-veined  leaves, 
long,  graceful,  arching;  in  others,  as  in  the  common  Fan  palm, 
the  leaves  are  palmately  veined. 

Nearly  all  palms  can  be  grown  successfully  in  this  country, 
but  they  require  a  warm  temperature  for  quick  development. 
In  a  dwelling-house  they  make  but  little  growth  during  the 
winter  months,  and  the  plants  should  then  be  kept  consider- 
ably dryer  than  during  the  extreme  heat  of  summer,  when  lib- 
eral waterings  are  needed. 

This  class  of  plants  cannot  be  propagated  in  an  apartment 
with  any  degree  of  success.  Healthy  specimens  should  be 
bought  when  desired,  and  if  properly  cared  for  will   form  per- 


/'ALMS 


107 


manent  additions  to  a  collection  of  plants.     The  leaves  should 
be  kept  clean  by  means  of  sponging  and  washing. 

Palms  require   rich,  fibrous  soil,  and  plenty  of  water ;   they 
can,  however,  remain  in  comparatively  small  pots   for  years, 


Areca  lutescens. 


and  will,  under  certain  conditions,  grow  and  flourish  with  ap- 
parently no  sustenance  except  water.  In  re-potting  palms  the 
roots  should  not  be  disturbed  or  torn,  or  buried  in  too  great  a 
mass  of  soil.  The  drainage  must  be  good,  and  for  small  and 
tender  species  pieces  of  broken  charcoal  mixed  with  the  soil 
is  beneficial.  Large  palms  may  be  left  undisturbed  fur  years, 
provided  the  top  soil  is  occasionally  replaced  by  new  and  very 


i oS  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

rich  top-dressing.  Artificial  manures  containing  plenty  of 
nitrogenous  matter,  sheep  manure,  bone  and  blood,  or  fish- 
guano  arc  very  good  for  this  purpose.  All  palms,  large  and 
small,  are  equally  benefited  by  liberal  doses  of  liquid  manure. 
Most  of  the  species  commonly  grown  do  best  in  warm,  half- 
shady  positions,  for  although  the  sun  is  very  beneficial  to  them, 
it  is  very  liable  to  burn  and  disfigure  the  leave.-;. 

Some  palms  lift  themselves  above  the  soil  on  strong,  woody 
roots.  This  is  a  natural  tendency  which  should  be  taken  notice 
of  when  potting.  No  species  should  be  planted  very  deep  in 
the  soil. 

A  few  of  the  best  kinds  for  general  use  are,  among  pinnately 
veined  palms  : 

Areca  lutescens,  a  very  attractive  bushy  palm,  with  long  and 
graceful  leaves  on  slender  stems.  The  petioles  of  the  leaves  are 
of  a  bright  orange-yellow  spotted  brown.  The  leaves  are  erect, 
slightly  curving.  Large,  bushy  specimens  are  very  ornamental. 
There  are  several  other  Arecas,  all  distinguished  by  means  of 
the  color  of  the  leaves,  as  the  red  Areca,  the  white  Areca,  and 
others.     They  are  all  valuable  plants. 

Cocos  Weddeliana  is  a  very  small  palm,  with  finely  pinnated 
leaves.  It  is  a  good  subject  for  a  terrarium,  and  one  of  the 
best  palms  for  table  decoration.  It  requires  plenty  of  heat 
and  moisture,  and  the  foliage  is  benefited  by  frequent  spray- 
ings. A  mixture  of  fibrous  peat  and  loam,  with  some  addition 
of  well-rotted  cow  manure  and  sand,  makes  a  very  suitable 
soil.  This  palm  should  be  grown  in  comparatively  small,  well- 
drained  pots. 

Chamadoreas  are  small,  elegant  palms,  with  slender  stems 
and  large  crowns  of  long  pinnate  leaves.  They  never  grow 
too  lar^e  for  a  room,  are  ornamental,  and  easily  grown  in  rich, 


PALMS 


loy 


fibrous  soil.     A  partial  shade  and  liberal  watering  is  needed  in 
summer. 

Kentia  is  a  genus  of  palms  almost  similar  to  the  Arecas  in 
habit  when  small.  They  are  robust-growing  plants,  with  long, 
arching  leaves,  and  among  the  best  of  all  pinnately  leaved 
palms.     They  require  rich  soil  and  liberal  watering. 


Fan    Palm.      Li-istona  sinensis. 


Phoenix  is  the  botanical  name  of  the  large  Date-palm  family. 
These,  when  small,  are  very  useful  and  will  stand  lots  of  rough 
treatment.  They  have  a  very  bushy,  feathery  appearance  on 
account  of  their  long,  spreading  leaves,  which  are  somewhat 
stiff  and  spiny  at  the  base.  Plenty  of  light  and  air  is  beneficial 
to  all ;  liberal  watering  and  full  exposure  to  the  sun  is  best  for 
the  stronger  kinds,  and  they  are  peculiarly  well  adapted  for 
lawn  decoration  in  summer. 


no  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

The  species  most  suitable  for  a  house  is  Ph.  rupicola ;  it  has 
long  and  finely  pinnate  leaves,  and  is  the  most  graceful  one  of 
the  genus.  Ph.  tennis  and  Ph.  canadensis  are  common  and 
ornamental  kinds. 

Ptychosperma  resemble  Kentias  and  Arecas  in  many  re- 
spects. The  two  species  commonly  grown,  Pt.  Cunninghamii 
and  Pt.  Alexandras,  are  of  about  equal  value. 

Verschaffeltia  splendida  is  a  palm  of  a  very  striking  appear- 
ance. The  leaves  are  broad,  scarcely  pinnate  in  young  speci- 
mens, and  of  a  fine  reddish  color.  The  stem  is  slender  and 
very  spiny,  and  is  supported  on  strong  woody  roots.  This 
species  requires  a  fibrous  and  somewhat  peaty  soil,  and  plenty  of 
heat  and  atmospheric  moisture.     It  is  best  suited  to  the  South. 

The  Royal  Palm  (Oreodoxa  regia)  and  the  Wax-palm  (Ce- 
roxylon),  as  also  the  Fish-tail  palm  (Caryota),  are  other  beau- 
tiful pinnately  leaved  species. 

Fan-palms  are  so  named  because  their  foliage  resembles  a 
fan  in  outline.     The  best  are  : 

The  European  Fan-palm,  Chamasrops  humilis,  a  fine  spe- 
cies, with  silvery-gray  leaves.  It  forms  elegant  spreading  speci- 
mens. The  tall-growing  form,  Ch.  exelsa,  is  also  very  orna- 
mental. They  enjoy  rich,  well-drained  soil  and  plenty  of 
moisture  during  the  hot  season. 

The  Chinese  Fan-palm,  Livistona  Chinensis,  is  the  most 
popular  palm  grown.  It  is  of  a  compact  and  robust  habit,  and 
a  rapid  grower.  There  are  several  other  species  of  this  genus, 
very  beautiful,  but  as  yet  little  known. 

Licuala  grandis  is  a  newly  introduced,  very  ornamental 
palm,  with  almost  orbicular  leaves  of  deep-green  color.  It  is 
smaller  and  more  compact  than  the  Livistona,  and  quite  differ- 
ent in  appearance,  but  very  beautiful. 


PALMS 


in 


Rhapis  flabelliformis  has  small  palmate  leaves  on  numerous 
slender  stems.  It  forms  erect,  bushy  specimens,  and  will  do 
well  in  a  shady  position.  Among  other  Fan-palms  arc  Thri- 
nax  and  Washingtonia — the  first  a  very  elegant  palm,  the  last 


"\ 


//V! 


Rhapis  flabelliformis. 


rather   coarse  and    not   satisfactory   for   house  culture   in    this 
country. 

The  general  cultural  notes  given   above  apply  to  all  species 
here  described. 


XI 


DRACAENAS,    SCREW-PINES,    AND   SAGO-PALMS 

S 

ESIDES  Palms  there  are  numbers  of  plants  having  a 
palm-like  appearance,  and  serving  much  the  same 
purpose    when    cultivated.     Among    these   are    the 
Carludovicas,  plants  with  fan-shaped  leaves  on  long, 
slender  stalks.    They  should  be  grown  in  rich,  fibrous 
soil,  and  require  more  water  than  most  palms. 
Curculigo,  a  small  but  handsome  plant,  has  broad,  lanceo- 
late, plicate  leaves,  growing  from  a  thick  creeping  stem.    There 
is  a  fine  variety  with  white-variegated  leaves.     This  also  re- 
quires good  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  water. 

Of  the  Banana  family  several  kinds  are  of  neat  habit  and 
quite  ornamental.  They  are  very  rapid  growers,  but  are  sel- 
dom grown  except  in  conservatories. 

Heliconia  aureo-striata  is  a  beautiful  and  useful  plant  of 
this  class.  It  is  a  plant  of  a  dwarf  and  compact  habit,  and  has 
fine  green  leaves,  obliquely  striped  with  golden  yellow.  This 
plant  will  do  well  in  a  half-shady  and  warm  position.  Like  all 
plants  of  its  class,  it  requires  the  richest  of  soils  and  abundant 
watering  during  summer.  During  winter  it  should  be  kept 
rather  dry. 

The  Screw-pines,  Pandanus,  when  young  are  very  hand- 
some plants,  especially  the  beautifully  variegated  form  known 
as  Pandanus  Veitchii.     Small  specimens  of  this  are  very  useful 


DRACAENAS,   SCREW-PINES,   SAGO-PALMS       113 

for  table  decoration.  When  grown  in  a  house,  a  bay-window 
is  the  best  place,  but  it  will  also  do  well  in  any  warm,  light, 
and  airy  room.     The  Screw-pines  do  well  in  a  mixture  of  equal 


Dracena  terminalis  variety. 


parts  of  fibrous  loam  and  peat,  with  a  slight  addition  of  sharp 
sand  and  some  decayed  manure.  The  pots  must  be  well 
drained,  and  broken  charcoal  mixed  in  the  soil  is  to  be  recom- 


ii4  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

mended.  Careful  watering,  rather  liberal  in  the  summer-time 
and  restricted  during  winter,  is  essential. 

Dracaena  is  a  large  genus  of  very  ornamental  plants,  with 
long,  arching,  strap-shaped  or  lanceolate  leaves  on  slender 
stems.  Some  kinds  are  very  highly  colored,  having  dark 
bronzy  leaves  striped  with  various  shades  of  white  and  red 
and  yellow,  spotted,  mottled,  or  variegated.  Numerous  hy- 
brids have  been  raised  in  European  gardens,  which,  when 
well  grown,  are  extremely  fine.  Dracaenas  are  generally  of  a 
neat,  compact  habit,  useful  For  table  and  other  decorations. 
They  are  increased  by  means  of  cuttings  taken  from  old  stems 
laid  down  in  sand,  but  they  cannot  be  easily  propagated  in  a 
dwelling-house.  The  soil  should  be  composed  of  equal  parts 
of  fibrous  loam,  leaf  mould,  and  well-decayed  manure,  with  a 
liberal  addition  of  sharp  sand.  Plenty  of  water  and  frequent 
spraying,  or  washing,  of  the  foliage  is  beneficial.  In  a  house 
where  spraying  is  impracticable  washing  is  the  best,  and  a  good 
sponging  of  the  leaves  at  regular  intervals  will  be  necessary  to 
prevent  insects  and  diseases.  The  position  should  be  a  halt- 
shady  one  in  a  double  window  or  a  warm  room. 

Some  of  the  best  varieties  are  :  D.  indivisa,  with  long,  arch- 
ing, strap -shaped  leaves.  This  is  a  useful  plant  for  vases  and 
window-boxes  ;  it  is  hardier  than  the  rest  and  will  do  well  in  a 
cool  place. 

D.  imperialis  has  broad,  slightly  recurved  leaves,  which  are 
Striped  with  crimson,  white,  and  pink.  D.  Baptistii  is  a 
brightly  colored  variety,  with  the  leaves  striped  yellow  and 
dull  red.  D.  magnifica  has  very  broad  leaves  of  a  bronzy- 
green  color,  slightly  striped  with  white  and  pale  green.  D. 
Regina  is  one  of  the  finest  and  best,  with  broad,  deep-green 
leaves  bordered  with  pure  white.     D.   terminalis  is  a  species 


DR. I CEXAS,    SCRE W- PINES,    SAGO- PALMS       1 1 5 


with  numerous  varieties  and  hybrids,  all  highly  colored.  Fine 
hybrid  forms  are:  D.  Amabilis,  leaves  striped  green  and  yel- 
low. 1).  Hendersonii,  leaves  curiously  mottled  and  striped 
with  white  and  lilac. 

D.  fragrans  belongs  to 
a  different  type  of  plants, 
with    rather    broad    and 
very  long,   recurved,  and 
spreading  leaves.     Of  this 
there  are  two  or  three 
varieties  with  the  leaves 
striped     yellow.       The 
best  and  hardiest  of  these 
is  D.  Massangeana.     The 
finest  is  D.  Lindenii. 

These  plants  are  as  yet 
little  known  in  America, 
but    they    do    well    in    a 
house  when   properly   treated,   and   no   plants    can   be   better 
suitable  for  the  decoration  of  a  house. 

Sago-Palms  are  of  many  different  kinds.  All  have  very 
ornamental  leaves  spreading  from  the  crown  of  thick  scaly 
stems.  There  is  no  class  of  plants  better  suited  to  house  cult- 
ure, as  the  hard  texture  of  the  leaves  renders  them  proof 
against  injuries  of  any  kind.  They  will  do  well  in  almost  any 
position,  but  prefer  a  warm  place  and  plenty  of  water  in  sum- 
mer. The  young  leaves  are  at  first  tender,  but  become  firm  in 
a  very  short  time.     Among  these  : 

Cycas  revoluta  is  the  kind  most  commonly  grown,  and  the 
best  in  every  way.  The  leaves  are  from  2  to  4  feet  long,  and 
about  6  or  8  inches  wide,  very  closely  pinnate  and  deep,  glossy 


Dracena  Regintt, 


u6  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

green.  C.  circinalis  is  a  variety  considerably  larger,  but  just 
as  beautiful.  Of  smaller  kinds  the  small  Florida  Sago-palm, 
Zamia  integrifolia,  is  quite  common  in  cultivation.  The  leaf- 
lets of  this  species  are  broad  and  somewhat  hairy. 

The  soil  should  be  the  same  as  that  recommended  for  Palms, 
and  the  treatment  after  establishment  is  practically  the  same. 
Sago-palms  will  do  well  in  comparatively  small  pots.  For 
lawn  decoration  in  summer,  or  for  large  halls  or  parlors,  they 
are  invaluable. 


XII 

FERNS    AND    MOSSES 

-ERNS  are  universally  known  and  admired  for  the  beau- 
ty of  their  foliage.  The  family  consists  of  a  great  num- 
ber of  species,  mostly  herbaceous,  but  sometimes  of 
gigantic  size,  with  palm-like  stems  and  ample  crowns 
of  graceful  foliage  ;  others  tiny,  delicate  things,  with 
fronds  of  a  transparent,  film-like  texture. 
Most  ferns  will  grow  in  shade.  They  are  generally  moisture- 
loving  plants,  growing  in  the  depths  of  woods  and  forests 
among  leaves  and  decaying  vegetable  matter.  Some  few  spe- 
cies grow  in  the  crevices  of  rocks  in  sunny  and  exposed  posi- 
tions, and  should  be  treated  accordingly  when  grown.  The 
marvellous  golden  and  silvery  leaved  ferns  are  of  this  nature. 
To  grow  ferns  successfully  a  liberal  drainage  should  be  pro- 
vided for  ;  a  rich  vegetable  soil,  consisting  of  equal  parts  of 
fibrous  loam,  leaf  mould,  and  sand,  will  suit  most  species.  For 
golden  and  silvery  leaved  ferns  one-fourth  part  of  old  mortar  is 
beneficial.  The  watering  must  be  liberal  in  the  growing  sea- 
son, but  the  foliage  should,  as  a  rule,  be  kept  absolutely  dry  ; 
but  if  dirty  the  leaves  may  be  cleaned  in  the  ordinary  way — by 
washing.  An  even  and  moderate  temperature  is  best  suitable 
to  all  species  commonly  grown.  The  shadier  positions  in  the 
house  are  best ;  no  fern  should  be  exposed  to  the  full  rays  of 
the  sun. 


u8  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

Many  ferns  can  be  successfully  grown  in  Wardian  cases  or 
terrariums  in  any  ordinary  house.  Among  species  best  suited 
for  this  purpose  many  of  the  finer  Maiden-hair  ferns  take  the 
first  place.  The  filmy  ferns,  also,  such  as  the  Trichomanes  and 
Hymenophyllum,  are,  because  of  their  delicate  beauty,  very 
suitable.  They  should  be  planted  among  moss  and  peat  on 
old  pieces  of  wood,  and  kept  moist  and  shady. 

The  Maiden-hair  ferns,  or  Adiantums,  have  usually  very 


Maiden-hair  Tern.     Adtantum  Fttrleyens 


finely  divided  leaves,  the  common  one  growing  in  rocky  woods 
is  a  typical  species.  The  A.  Farleyense  is  considered  the  most 
beautiful  of  the  whole  family.  It  has  broad  doubly  pinnate 
hanging  fronds  which  are  very  finely  fringed.  It  cannot  stand 
the  dry  atmosphere  of  a  room  for  any  length  of  time,  but  can 
be  grown  successfully  in  a  glass  case.  A.  cuneatum  and  the 
large  growing  A.  formosum  are  more  hardy. 

The  Shield  ferns;   Aspidium  Lastrea.      So  named  from  the 


FERNS  AND   MOSSES 


119 


appearance  of  the  shield-like  fruit-spots  on  the  back  of  the 
leaves,  are  firmer  in  texture  and  will  do  well  with  little  care. 
The  best  are  :  A.  faleatum,  with  long  pinnate  fronds  of  a  glossy 
deep-green  appearance.  A.  amabile,  with  broader,  twice  pin- 
nate leaves  almost  triangular  in  outlines.  Lastrea  aristata  varie- 
gate has  finely  variegated  foliage,  and  is  one  of  the  best  ferns 
for  a  dwelling-room. 

Spleen-wort ;  Asplehium.    This  is  the  name  of  a  large  family 
of  ferns.     A.  bulbiferum,  as  also  A.  flaccidum,  has  large  finely 


Aspidium  (Qyrtomium)  faleatum. 


divided  leaves.  Small  plants  are  produced  in  abundance  on 
the  fronds,  giving  the  plant  a  peculiar  appearance.  These  are 
very  beautiful  and  well  adapted  for  room  culture.  So  is  also 
the  more  hardy  A.  lucidum,  with  pinnate  shining  leaves. 

Davallias,  or  Hare's-foot  ferns,  have  creeping  stems  clothed 
with  gray  hair-like  scales.  Ample,  mostly  triangular  fronds 
spring  at  irregular  intervals  from  these.  They  are  of  a  firm 
texture  and  will    therefore  stand    a   dry  atmosphere.      Some   of 


i-o  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

the  smaller  kinds  can  be  grown  in  baskets  and  are  very  pretty. 
The  best  are  :  D.  canadensis  and  D.  stricta.  For  these  plenty 
of  peat  should  be  used  with  the  soil. 

The  Gold-  and  Silver-ferns;  Gymnogramme.  These  are 
remarkable  on  account  of  their  foliage  being  powdered  with 
white  or  yellow  dust  on  the  lower  side.  They  are  strikingly 
beautiful  when  well  grown.  During  their  period  of  rest  in  win- 
ter, water  must  be  given  very  sparingly. 

Lomaria  gibba  is  a  fern  commonly  seen  in  green-houses  ;  it 
has  long  pinnatifid  fronds  of  a  bright  green.  Good,  rich  soil,  and 
liberal  watering  are  necessary  to  a  fine  development  of  this  plant. 

The  Sword-ferns  ;  Nephrolepis.  These  do  well  in  a  house, 
and  are  the  most  common  ferns  in  American  green -houses. 
They  can  be  grown  either  in  pots  or  hanging  baskets.  Long 
cord-like  runners  or  stohvis  are  produced  from  the  base  of  the 
stem  ;  these  produce  plantlets  by  which  all  sword-ferns  may  be 
increased. 

Nephrodium  is  a  very  large  genus,  of  which  N.  molle  is  the 
most  common  representant.  There  is  a  fine-fringed  variety  of 
tins.      Both  are  easily  increased  by  means  of  spores. 

Onychium,  a  little  Japanese  fern,  is  very  hardy,  and  feels 
quite  at  home  in  a  shady  corner  in  a  room.  The  foliage  is 
finely  divided,  dark  green,  and  firm  in  texture. 

The  Eagle-ferns  ;  Pteris,  are  quite  numerous,  some  have 
large,  rich  foliage,  others  have  pinnate  leaves  with  strap-shaped 
segments.  Pt.  argyrca  and  Pt.  tremula  are  both  very  orna- 
mental. The  first  has  foliage  variegated  with  silvery  gray,  the 
tremula  has  deep  green,  triangular  leaves.  Pt.  serrulata  cristata, 
Pt.  cretica,  and  albo-lineata  are  all  neat,  and  of  firm  texture 
and  graceful  habit.  These  are  well  adapted  for  planting  in 
vases,  baskets,  or  inside  window-boxes. 


FERNS  AND  MOSSES  121 

The  Filmy  Ferns  above  mentioned  are  very  numerous. 
They  are  sometimes  very  minute,  of  a  moss-like  appearance, 
and  are,  when  cultivated  in  a  moist  atmosphere,  always  covered 
with  dew.  They  are  among  the  most  remarkable  plants  known, 
exceedingly  beautiful,  with  fronds  of  almost  hair-like  appear- 
ance     They  must  be  grown  in  a  glass-case  or  terrarium. 


^ 


Pteris  argyrea. 


Club  mosses  are  suitable  for  the  same  purpose  as  filmy  ferns. 
Some  are  tender  and  creeping  and  form  dense  masses  on  the 
ground  ;  others  are  erect  and  of  a  robust  habit.  None  are 
common  in  cultivation,  but  they  deserve  mention  in  connec- 
tion with  the  terrarium.  All  require  a  moist  atmosphere  and 
should  be  grown  in  rich  vegetable,  somewhat  sandy  soil. 


XIII 

MISCELLANEOUS    FLOWERING    PLANTS 

butilon.  Flowering  maple.  This  is  a  genus  of  fine 
green -house  shrubs  with  pendant,  bell-shaped  flow- 
ers of  various  colors.  Propagated  by  means  of 
cuttings  of  growing  wood  inserted  in  sand.  The 
soil  should  be  rich  and  fibrous,  composed  of  equal 
parts  loam,  leaf-mould,  and  well-decayed  manure  with  some 
addition  of  sharp  sand.  Abutilons  grow  rapidly  and  will  bloom 
when  quite  small.  There  are  varieties  with  crimson,  yellow, 
rose-colored,  and  white  flowers.  To  form  bushy  plants  the 
young  shoots  should  be  nipped  occasionally. 

Acacia.  Acacias  when  in  flower  are  exceedingly  beautiful 
plants,  and  many  besides  have  fine  foliage.  Propagate  by 
means  of  half-ripe  cuttings  taken  with  a  slant  and  inserted  in 
sand,  in  a  pot  which  should  be  covered  with  a  pane  of  glass 
and  kept  in  a  warm,  shady  place.  Soil  for  Acacias  should  con- 
sist of  equal  parts  fibrous  loam  and  leaf-mould,  or  peat  with 
plenty  of  sand.     They  must  be  potted  firmly. 

There  are  some  kinds  with  numerous  globular  heads  of 
flowers,  others  have  the  flowers  disposed  in  long  spikes  from  the 
axils  of  the  leaves  or  phyllodea.  The  Silver  Wattle  of  Australia. 
Acacia  dealbata,  is  an  extremely  fine  tree  with  handsome 
leaves  and  an  abundance  of  pale  yellow  blossoms.  Drummond's 
Acacia,  the  armed  Acacia,  the  linear-leaved  Acacia,  all  are  very 


MISCELLANEOUS  FL0WER1XG  PLANTS        123 

desirable  kinds.  A.  Lophanta  has  very  large  doubly  pinnate 
leaves,  and  is  quite  ornamental  as  a  small  plant. 

Achimenes  are  small  plants  of  the  Gloxinia  family,  with 
tender  trailing  stems  and  very  pretty  flowers  of  all  colors.  They 
are  very  floriferous,  of  a  herbaceous  habit  and  tuberous-rooted. 
The  tubers  should  be  planted  in  March  or  April  in  light  sandy 
soil.  After  planting  and  thorough  watering  the  plants  should 
be  brought  into  a  pretty  warm  room  and  kept  in  a  shady  posi- 
tion until  started.  In  two  months  the  plants  will  bloom  freely. 
When  stems  and  flowers  decay  store  the  pots  in  a  cool,  dry  place 
till  the  following  spring. 

Agathea.  This  is  a  shrubby  plant  with  blue  aster-like 
flowers.  Propagate  by  cuttings  under  glass,  if  handy.  To 
form  bushy  specimens  pinch  often.  Grows  quickly  and  will  do 
well  in  ordinary  soil  and  in  a  cool  place. 

Ageratum.  An  almost  hardy  plant  of  a  neat  compact 
habit,  producing  numerous  blue  flowers.  Useful  for  baskets 
and  window-boxes.      Cuttings  root  freely. 

Alyssum  maritimum.  This  is  a  plant  commonly  known 
by  the  simple  name  of  Sweet  Alyssum.  It  is  a  low,  compact 
plant,  producing  dense  racemes  of  small,  white,  sweet-scented 
flowers.  Propagated  by  brittle  cuttings  in  sand  in  a  warm, 
shady  place  ;  it  will  grow  well  in  any  ordinary  soil.  Useful  for 
planting  in  baskets  and  window-boxes. 

Azaleas  are  beautiful  evergreen  shrubs  of  a  bushy  habit. 
There  are  double  and  single  varieties,  crimson,  salmon-col- 
ored, white,  one-colored  or  striped.  Azaleas  are  very  florife- 
rous  and,  when  brought  into  flower  early  in  spring,  very  use- 
ful and  beautiful  plants.  They  should  be  kept  in  a  cool 
and  somewhat  shady  position  in  summer,  and  must  never  be 
allowed    to    get   dry.      Soil  composed  of  fibrous  peat  and  sand 


124  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

suits  them  best.  Potting  should  be  done  very  firmly,  espe- 
cially in  the  case  of  young  plants.  Azaleas  do  best  in  cool  and 
airy  apartments.  If  they  are  intended  for  forcing,  they  should 
be  brought  into  a  warmer  place  and  sprayed  frequently  until 
the  flowers  expand. 

Boronia  megastigma.  A  beautiful  slender  plant,  with  axil- 
lary purple  flowers  in  great  profusion  in  early  spring.  Very 
sweet  scented.  Leaves  small,  pinnate,  or  tri-foliate.  Boronias 
should  be  grown  in  a  soil  composed  of  equal  parts  of  fibrous 
loam,  peat,  leaf  mould,  and  sand,  and  need  firm  potting,  plen- 
ty of  water  at  the  root  during  summer,  and  a  light,  airy  posi- 
tion in  a  cool  place. 

Bouvardias.  Well-known  plants,  producing  clusters  of  brill- 
iant flowers.  Propagate  by  means  of  half-ripe  cuttings,  and 
pot  in  light  fibrous  soil.  Water  freely  in  summer  and  keep  in 
a  light,  cool  place.  Repot  frequently,  and  stop  the  young 
growths  as  often  as  necessary  to  form  bushy  plants.  Occasional 
sprayings  are  beneficial.  Bouvardias  flower  for  a  long  period 
in  winter,  spring,  and  early  summer.  There  are  single  and 
double  flowers,  white,  flesh-colored,  or  scarlet. 

Browallias  are  annual  plants  with  showy  blue  and  white 
flowers,  and  very  pretty  when  in  bloom.  Sow  seeds  in  sum- 
mer, in  light  sandy  soil.  Cover  the  seed-pot  with  a  pane  of 
glass ;  keep  moist  and  shady,  thin  the  seedlings  and  pot  later 
singly  in  small  pots.  Grow  the  plants  on  in  rich  fibrous  soil. 
and  pinch  frequently  to  form  bushy  specimens  for  winter- 
blooming. 

Camellia.  This  old  favorite,  although  hardy  in  the  South, 
deserves  to  be  grown  in  a  small  state  as  a  window-plant  in  the 
North.  Procure  small  bushy  plants  of  a  flowering  size.  Repot 
about  once  in  two  years,  in  a  mixture  of  equal  parts  of  fibrous 


MISCELLANEOUS  FLOWERING  PLANTS        125 


loam,  leaf-mould  peat  and  sand.  Water  liberally  in  summer 
and  keep  the  plants  in  a  cool  place.  Prune  long  shoots  when 
necessary  to  keep  the  plants  bushy.  Small  pots  are  best ;  firm 
potting  is  essential.  The  flowers  expand  in  winter  and  keep 
beautiful  a  long  time.  To  avoid  the  falling  of  buds  water  care- 
fully and  never  allow  the  roots  to  dry.     Spray  occasionally. 

Canna.  The  new  French  Cannas  are  exceedingly  fine,  and 
may  be  had  in  bloom  in  a  sunny  apart- 
ment for  a  long  period  of  the  winter. 
They  require  large  pets  and  very  rich 
soil,  with  a  liberal  supply  of  water. 
The  colors  of  many  of  the  Crozy  va- 
rieties are  exceedingly  showy. 

Choysya  is  the  name  of  a  neat, 
shrubby  plant  with  trifoliate  leaves  and 
terminal  racemes  of  white  fragrant  flow- 
ers. Propagate  by  half-ripe  cuttings  in 
spring.  Grow  in  ordinary  soil  in  a 
light  and  cool  position. 

Chorizema.  Plants  of  the  pea-fam- 
ily, with  numerous  red  and  yellow 
flowers.  They  will  thrive  in  equal 
parts  of  loam  and  peat  with  the  usual 

admixture  of  sand.  Propagate  by  seeds  or  cuttings.  Train 
carefully  to  make  bushy  plants.  When  well  grown,  and  in  full 
bloom  in  early  spring,  nothing  can  be  more  beautiful. 

Citrus.  Orange.  These  can  be  grown  in  pots,  and  will  flower 
and  fruit  tolerably  well,  but  soon  grow  too  large  for  a  house. 
The  Otaheite-Orange  is  a  variety  of  neat  and  compact  habit, 
flowers  freely  as  a  small  plant,  and  with  good  training  forms  a 
nice  specimen.     Propagate  by  seeds  in  sandy  soil,  repot  several 


Strcftosolon  jan 


126  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR   GARDENING 

times  the  first  year.  Rich  fibrous  soil  should  be  used  after  a 
while,  and  top-dressings  of  artificial  manures  are  very  beneficial 
for  flowering  plants.  Requires  liberal  watering  and  occasional 
sprayings. 

Cigar-plant.  Cuphea.  This  is  a  well-known  dwarf  flower- 
ing plant,  producing  numerous  cylindrical  flowers  all  the  year 
round.  It  is  excellent  for  vases  and  window-boxes,  and  espe- 
cially useful  in  the  summer-time  for  outdoor  display.  Propa- 
gate by  cuttings,  which  root  easily. 

Cytisus  is  a  handsome,  bushy,  floriferous  plant  of  the  pea- 
family.  It  is  capable  of  being  trained  into  very  compact 
specimens.  Flowers  yellow  in  long  racemes.  There  are  several 
varieties,  all  valuable.  The  propagation  is  difficult  and  slow  in 
a  house,  but  plants  are  cheap.  Rich  fibrous  loam  with  one- 
third  leaf-mould  and  sand  makes  a  suitable  soil.  Young  plants 
should  be  trimmed  two  or  three  times  a  year  to  form  bushy 
specimens  ;   they  flower  late  in  spring. 

Datura  Arborea.  Trumpet-flower.  This  is  a  straggling,  soft- 
wooded  shrub,  with  large  oblong  leaves  and  enormous  hanging, 
trumpet-like  flowers,  white,  slightly  tinged  with  violet,  single 
or  double.  It  is  curious  and  picturesque,  and  forms  a  nice 
plant  for  the  lawn.  It  can  be  kept  in  a  cool  cellar  during  the 
winter.      Propagate  by  soft-wooded  cuttings. 

Epacris  is  a  genus  of  Heath-like  plants  producing  terminal 
spikes  of  brightly  colored  flowers.  They  are  better  adapted  for 
American  culture  than  the  Cape  Heaths,  being  able  to  stand 
more  heat  and  moisture.  Propagation  easy,  but  slow,  by  means  of 
cuttings.  Young  plants  should  be  procured  for  home-growing. 
Good,  fibrous,  peaty  soil  is  most  suitable.  Potting  and  water- 
ing must  be  done  with  care,  and  good  drainage  is  of  great  im- 
portance.     The  long,  erect  shoots  on  strong  plants  should  not 


MISCELLANEOUS  FLOWERING  PLANTS        127 

be  stopped,  as  these  when  ripe  produce  the  flowers  of  the 
season.  A  half-shady  position  is  best.  The  following  garden 
varieties  are  recommended:  hyacinthi flora  alba,  white;  ful- 
gens,  scarlet ;   carminata,  carmine  ;   ignea,  fiery  red. 

Erica.  Cape  Heaths.  These  are  not  often  seen  in  American 
gardens;  in  Europe  they  are  very  important  decorative  plants 
for  house  and  home.  There  is  a  great  number  of  species,  pro- 
ducing more  or  less  showy,  often  fragrant,  flowers.  The  propa- 
gation in  a  house  is  slow,  and  it  is  therefore  best  to  procure 
small  flowering  plants  from  a  florist.  They  require  the  same 
soil  and  treatment  as  Epacris,  but  all  long  shoots  should  be 
nipped  in  order  to  make  the  plants  bushy.  Firm  potting, 
careful  watering,  and  good  drainage  are  essential.  For  water- 
ing Cape  Heaths  and  Epacris  soft  water  is  preferable.  The 
following  are  a  few  of  the  best:  E.  Cavendishii,  yellow;  E. 
caffra,  small  white  flowers,  very  numerous,  fragrant ;  E.  hye- 
malis,  pink  and  white  flowers;  E.  persoluta  and  P.  alba,  with 
small  red  or  white  flowers  ;  E.  ventricosa,  long,  tubular  flowers 
in  umbels,  purple;  E.  vestita  and  its  numerous  varieties.  These 
are  only  a  few  of  the  more  important  forms.  All  Ericas  and 
Epacri  ought  to  prove  hardy  in  the  Southern  States. 

Erythrinas,  or  Coral-trees,  are  extremely  showy  plants  of 
the  pea-family,  hardy  in  the  South.  They  have  trifoliate, 
sometimes  variegated  leaves,  and  some  species  make  fine  foliage 
plants.  The  flowers,  produced  in  long  terminal  racemes,  are 
coral-red  or  scarlet.  The  plants  may  be  wintered  in  a  dry 
state  in  a  cellar,  and  should  be  repotted  early  in  the  season. 
Water  should  at  first  be  given  moderately,  but  very  liberally 
later  in  the  spring  as  the  plants  develop.  After  flowering, 
prune  back  to  within  a  k\v  inches  of  the  stem.  The  object  is  to 
produce  strong,  ripe  shoots  for  flowering  the  following  season. 


123  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

The  Cherokee  beans,  E.  crista-galli  and  E.  herbacea,  produce 
flowers  on  herbaceous  shoots  the  first  season  and  flower  early  in 
the  fall. 

E.  indica  Parcellii  is  a  fine  tree  with  beautiful  white-varie- 
gated foliage.  This  one  is  ornamental  all  the  year  round,  and 
should  not  be  allowed  to  dry.  All  Erythrinas  can  be  propa- 
gated by  means  of  seeds  and  cuttings.  Rich,  fibrous  soil,  and 
plenty  of  water. 

Euphorbia.  Milkwort.  Spurge.  These  are  curious  some- 
times cactus-like  plants,  almost  leafless,  with  globular  and  fleshy 
stems.  The  only  species  deserving  wider  culture  is  the  com- 
mon Poinsettia :  E.  pulcherima,  and  E.  splendens,  both  of 
which  are  hardy  in  the  South.  The  Poinsettia  is  grown  for 
the  sake  of  the  splendid  scarlet  bracts  produced  beneath  the 
flowers.  These  measure  often  a  foot  in  length  and  are  very 
showy.  Poinsettias  for  winter-flowering  should  be  grown  in 
small  pots  and  kept  dwarf  by  means  of  moderate  watering  and 
plenty  of  air.  The  propagation  takes  place  in  summer  by  means 
of  cuttings  of  young  shoots.  They  root  easily  enough  under 
glass  in  sharp  sand  with  moderate  watering.  Equal  parts  of 
fibrous  loam,  leaf  mould,  decayed  manure,  and  sand  make  a 
good  soil. 

After  rooting,  the  plants  should  be  potted  and  grown  as 
rapidly  as  possible  to  produce  a  crown  of  large  colored  bracts 
in  mid-winter.  These  remain  beautiful  a  long  time.  After 
flowering,  a  few  months  of  rest  is  generally  given.  The  cult- 
ure of  E.  splendens  and  E.  fulgens  is  too  difficult  to  be  here 
recommended. 

Gardenias,  or  Cape  Jessamines,  are  well-known  plants  whose 
exquisite  beauty  is  fully  seen  in  some  of  the  Southern  States, 
where  the  plant   is  hardy.      Gardenias   -row    easily  from   half- 


MISCELLANEOUS  FLOWERING   PLANTS        129 

ripe  cuttings,  and  require  liberal  watering  and  rich  fibrous 
soil.  As  pot-plants  they  must  be  sprayed  or  washed  often.  A 
slight  rest  in  the  fall  to  ripen  the  young  growth  is  beneficial. 
The  plants,  if  well  ripened,  produce  quantities  of  large,  double, 
fragrant  flowers  of  a  milky  white  color. 

The  Gesnera-  or  Gloxinia-family  is  a  very  beautiful  one. 
Numerous  species  with  brilliant  flowers  and  fine  foliage  are 
common  in  cultivation.  A  number  of  these  plants  grow  from 
fleshy  tubers  or  stolons,  and  need  absolute  rest  for  a  certain 
period  of  the  year.  Others  grow  and  remain  ornamental  all 
the  year  round.  All  can  be  propagated  by  means  of  seeds  and 
cuttings,  or  by  the  division  of  tubers.  They  should  be  grown 
in  well-drained  pots  in  equal  parts  of  loam,  leaf-mould,  and  a 
mixture  of  peat  and  sand.  They  require  liberal  watering  and 
a  shady  position  during  the  growing  season.  Those  needing 
rest  should  be  stored  away  in  a  dry,  cool  place,  after  flowering, 
and  the  tubers  must  be  cleaned  and  repotted  in  spring  as  early 
as  growth  commences.  After  potting  and  watering  old  tubers, 
keep  in  a  warm  and  shady  position  ;  remove  gradually  to  a 
cooler  and  lighter  place.  Tydea,  JYdfgclia,  Isoloma,  and  Ges- 
nera are  typical  mostly  tuberous-rooted  plants  of  this  family. 
These  and  other  Gesneracas  may  be  started  at  different  times  of 
the  year  to  produce  a  succession  of  flowers.  The  Gesnera  fam- 
ily is  almost  unsurpassed  in  richly  colored  flowers,  neat  habit, 
and  easy  culture. 

Hibiscus,  or  Chinese  rose,  is  one  of  .the  most  gorgeous 
green-house  plants,  and  when  small  and  bushy  is  one  of  the 
best  for  house-culture.  Propagated  by  cuttings  of  young  wood 
and  grown  rapidly  in  rich  fibrous  soil,  it  soon  reaches  a  flow- 
ering size.  It  requires  large  pots  and  plenty  of  moisture  dur- 
ing the  growing  season.     There  are  varieties  of  many  colors, 


i3o 


JlYXDOir  AXD   PARLOR    GARDEXIXG 


single  or  double.     The  variety  Cooperii  is  a  fine  foliage  plant 
with  richly  colored  leaves. 

Hydrangea  (H.  hortensis)  is  a  pretty  well  known  plant,  less 
successfully  grown  in  America  than  it  deserves  to  be.  In  this 
country  it  requires  a  half-shady  position.  Propagated  by  cut- 
tings of  young  shoots,  any  time  of  the  year,  but  preferably  in 
spring.  Young  plants  should  be  pushed  on  rapidly  in  rich  soil, 
and  must  be  gradually  brought  to  rest  in  the  fall,  after  which 
less  water  should  be  given.  The  plants  should  not  lose  their 
leaves,  but  may  be  kept  in  a  cool,  light  cellar  until  after  Christ- 
mas, when  repotting  can  be  done  if  necessary.  The  plants 
must  then  be  cleaned  and  brought  into  a  slightly  warmer  place. 
Liberal  watering  and  spraying  will  soon  develop  the  dormant 

buds.  The  plants  may  also 
be  kept  in  a  cool,  shady 
window  all  the  year  round, 
but  will  then  flower  later. 
The  presence  of  alum  or 
iron  in  the  soil  will  change 
the  originally  red  flowers 
into  a  beautiful  blue. 

The  Acanthus  Family- 
contains  a  number  of  hand- 
/^«-v  some  flowering,  suffruticose 
\.j  plants  :  Jacobhiia  Ghics- 
breghtiana,  producing  fine 
scarlet  flowers  in  axillar 
racemes,  is  one  of  the  finest. 
Peristraphe  speciosa,  with  long  ringent  flowers  of  a  pale  rosy- 
pink  produced  in  great  number.  Libonia  floribunda,  a  neat, 
bushy  plant,  with  ovate  leaves  and  numerous  tubular,  scarlet 


J  a  cob  in  ia  Gh  itsbregh  liana. 


MISCELLANEOUS  FLOWERING   PLANTS 


•3i 


flowers.  Sireptosolon  Jamesonii,  with  the  habit  of  a  Libonia, 
producing  umbels  of  rather  large  yellow  and  red  flowers. 
[ustitia  carina,  a  rather  coarse,  upright-growing  plant,  with 
heads  of  long,  ringent  flowers.  The  genus  Eranthemum  is 
rich  both  in  handsome  foliage  and  flowering  plants. 

All  the  above  are  well  suited  to  window-culture.  They  are 
easily  propagated  by  means  of  cuttings  inserted  in  light  soil, 
singly  in  small  pots,  and  kept  in  a  glass  case  until  rooted. 
Rich,  but  fibrous  and  sandy,  soil  is  good  for  all,  and  a 
half -shady  position  is 
best  during  the  sum- 
mer months.  The  young 
plants  should  be  pinched 
sufficient  to  form  bushy 
specimens,  which  will 
flower  during  the  winter. 

Lantanas  are  pretty 
plants  of  the  Verbena 
family.  They  produce 
umbels  of  showy  flow- 
ers and  are  popular  for 
bedding  and  for  win- 
dow-boxes. Propagated 
any  time  of  the  year 
when  there  is  suitable 
young  wood  for  cut- 
tings. Lantanas  require 
rich,  fibrous  soil. 

Linum  trigynum.  Yellow  flax.  A  handsome  and  florif- 
erous  plant  for  winter  flowering.  For  culture,  see  Jacobinia 
(Acanthus  family). 


Liitltm  trigyi, 


1 32  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR   GARDENING 

Mahernia,  a  small,  floriferous  plant,  with  slender  branches 
and  sweet-scented  Oxalis-like  flowers.  It  grows  best  in  light, 
fibrous  soil,  and  should  be  propagated  by  means  of  young  herba- 
ceous cuttings.  The  plants  must  be  carefully  trimmed  and  tied 
to  form  fine  specimens.  The  yellow  blossoms  expand  shortly 
after  midwinter.  The  plants  should  have  a  gentle  rest  after 
flowering,  after  which  they  may  be  pruned  back,  repotted,  and 
started  afresh. 

Mignonette  can  easily  be  raised  in  pots  for  winter  use.  Sow 
a  few  seeds  of  some  good  variety  in  small  pots,  thin  the  seed- 
lings, and  leave  the  strongest  only.  Repot  in  rich  soil  once 
or  twice.  Keep  the  plants  growing  in  a  cool,  airy  room,  and 
pinch  the  shoots  to  form  bushy  plants.  Water  freely  and  spray 
or  dip  the  top  occasionally  in  water.     The  plants  need  staking. 

Musk-plant.  Mimulus  moschatus.  Can  be  grown  from  seed 
in  the  spring  for  baskets  and  window-boxes.  It  is  a  pretty 
dwarf  plant,  with  numerous  yellow  flowers  of  a  musky  odor. 

Myrtles  can  be  grown  with  the  greatest  of  ease  in  almost 
any  house.  They  are  propagated  by  means  of  cuttings  taken 
with  a  heal,  any  time  of  the  year,  and  grow  well  in  a  soil  com- 
posed of  equal  parts  fibrous  loam,  leaf-mould,  decayed  manure, 
and  sand.  Trim  the  young  plants  as  they  grow  with  a  pair 
of  scissors  to  form  bushy  specimens.  Large  plants  will  flower 
freely. 

Nerium  Oleander.  To  grow  the  Oleander  successfully, 
propagate  by  means  of  ripe  cuttings  inserted  in  water  through 
the  cork  of  a  bottle.  The  soil  recommended  for  myrtles  will 
suit  oleanders  just  as  well.  Water  freely  during  the  growing 
period.  If  placed  in  the  open  air  in  summer  the  branches  will 
ripen  well  and  produce  flowers  freely  during  fall  and  winter.  If 
the  roots  are  allowed  to  dry  suddenly  the  young  buds  are  apt  to 


MISCELLANEOUS  FLOWERING  PLANTS        133 

drop  off.  Injury  to  the  roots  through  bad  drainage  will  pro- 
duce the  same  effect.  The  leaves  and  flowers  of  the  Oleander 
are  very  poisonous. 

Olea  fragrans.  American  Olive.  This  is  an  evergreen 
plant  of  a  fine  bushy  habit  and  holly-like  leaves.  It  produces 
a  quantity  of  small,  white,  fragrant  flowers.  Propagation  rather 
slow,  by  means  of  cuttings.      Hardy  in  the  South. 

Oxalis.  These  are  tuberous-rooted  plants  with  trifoliate 
leaves  and  very  pretty  flowers  of  different  colors.  Bulbs  should 
be  procured  early  in  spring,  planted  in  light  sandy  soil,  and 
kept  moist  and  shady  until  starting.  Some  kinds  will  rest 
after  flowering,  others  continue  to  grow  and  blossom  almost 
throughout  the  year. 

Pansies,  for  winter  use,  can  easily  be  grown  in  pots  or  shal- 
low boxes  in  any  room  not  too  cool.  Seed  should  be  sown  in 
September. 

Pleroma  macrantha  is  an  exceedingly  beautiful  shrub  of 
the  Melastoma  family.  It  has  oblong,  hairy  leaves,  slender 
stems,  and  very  large  and  beautiful  flowers  of  a  purplish-blue 
color.  It  will  grow  well  in  a  soil  composed  of  equal  parts 
fibrous  loam,  peat,  well-decayed  manure,  and  sand.  A  fine 
plant  for  the  South.  When  grown  as  a  house-plant  in  the  North 
a  sunny  position  is  necessary. 

Polygala  speciosa  and  other  kinds  are  very  handsome 
winter-flowering  plants,  producing  long  racemes  of  white  or 
purple  flowers.  Leaves  small,  linear.  To  be  grown  in  a  mix- 
ture of  equal  parts  leaf-mould,  peat,  and  sand.  Propagation 
easy  by  means  of  half-ripe  cuttings.  These  plants  must  be 
potted  very  firmly. 

Primula  obconica  is  a  handsome  winter-blooming  Primrose, 
producing  umbels  of  large  lilac  flowers  on  tall  peduncles,  and 


134  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR   GARDENING 

fine  cordate  leaves.  Seeds  should  be  sown  early  in  spring. 
Seedlings  repricked  in  a  soil  composed  of  equal  parts  of  loam, 
leaf-mould,  decayed  manure,  and  sand  will  grow  rapidly. 
They  should  be  grown  in  a  cool,  airy  place,  and  must  be  re- 
potted frequently  to  produce  fine  specimens  for  winter  use. 

Saxifraga  sarmentosa.  Aaron's  Beard.  This  well-known 
plant  is  very  useful  for  baskets,  vases,  and  window-boxes.  The 
leaves  are  roundish,  dark  green  above,  red  below.  A  variety 
with  variegated  leaves  is  very  pretty.  The  plant  forms  long 
runners  on  which  young  plants  are  produced.  Flowers  whitish, 
in  loose  panicles.      Rich,  sandy,  vegetable  soil. 

Sparmannia  africana.  A  tall  and  graceful  shrub  with 
white  flowers  and  large,  palmate  leaves.  For  culture  see 
Hibiscus. 

Stevia  and  Eupatorium  are  two  allied  plants  of  the  Com- 
posite family.  They  produce  numerous  very  small  white 
flowers  in  winter.  Propagation  and  culture  same  as  Chrysan- 
themum. 

Streptocarpus  polyanthus  is  a  very  pretty  plant  of  the 
Gesnera  family,  producing  large  panicles  of  fine  blue  flowers  on 
erect  peduncles.  The  flowers  are  produced  from  the  base  of 
large,  single,  stalkless  leaves  lying  flat  on  the  ground.  Re- 
quires no  rest,  can  otherwise  be  grown  in  the  same  way  as 
other  Gesneraceae,  which  see. 

Veronicas  of  the  shrubby  kind  are  very  useful  for  window- 
boxes,  and  also  as  common  window-plants.  Propagation  easy 
by  means  of  half-ripe  cuttings.  Soil  and  treatment  same  as  for 
Jacobinia,  but  must  be  potted  more  firmly.  The  flowers  of 
these  handsome  plants  are  either  white  or  blue,  in  long  axillary 
spikes  or  racemes. 

Viburnum  Tinus  is  a   fine  evergreen  shrub   which  flowers 


MISCELLANEOUS  FLOWERING  PLANTS        135 

early  in  spring  if  protected  from  frost.  Large  specimens  in 
tubs  are  very  fine  for  house  decoration.  The  flowers  are  white, 
produced  in  umbels. 

Vinca  rosea.  Crimson  Periwinkle.  This  is  an  exceedingly 
fine  and  floriferous,  erect-growing  species.  The  flowers  are 
large,  white,  pink,  or  crimson.  Very  easy  to  propagate  by 
seeds,  cuttings,  or  division.  Light  fibrous  soil,  full  exposure 
to  the  sun,  and  liberal  watering. 


XIV 

MISCELLANEOUS   FOLIAGE -PLANTS 

calypha  is  a  robust  plant  of  the  Spurge  family, 
with  large  cordate,  exquisitely  mottled  leaves  the 
ground-color  of  which  is  bronzy-green.  They 
are  easily  grown  plants,  largely  used  for  summer 
bedding  in  gardens,  but  also  valuable  as  house 
plants.  Propagation  by  soft-wooded  cuttings  or  division;  they 
thrive  in  any  ordinary  light  and  rich  soil.  Acalypha  macro- 
phylla  has  brown  leaves  with  greenish  spots;  A.  tricolor  has 
bronzy  leaves  mottled  and  marbled  with  white  and  crimson. 

Aloysia,  or  Lemon-scented  Verbena,  is  a  common  enough 
plant  with  no  ornamental  value,  but  cultivated  for  the  sake  of 
its  sweet-scented  leaves.  Grow  from  cuttings  in  ordinary 
soil. 

Amaranthus  tricolor.  Three-colored  Amaranth,  with 
finely  variegated  leaves,  green,  yellow,  and  crimson,  is  a  plant 
of  dwarf  habit  and  easy  of  culture.  Propagated  by  soft- 
wooded  cuttings,  and  will  thrive  in  ordinary  light  soil. 

Anthericum  variegatum  is  a  plant  of  the  Lily  family,  with 
tufted  variegated  leaves,  very  useful  for  vases  and  window- 
boxes.  Propagated  by  division,  and  will  grow  in  any  light, 
fibrous  soil. 

Aralia  Sieboldii.       One   of  the   best    foliage-plants    for  a 


MISCELLANEOUS  FOLIA GE-PLANTS 


137 


dwelling-house.  It  has  large  palmately  lobed  leaves  and  neat, 
compact  habit.  This  useful  plant  can  be  raised  from  seeds 
which  grow  freely  in  a  warm  and  shady  position.  The  young 
seedlings  should  be  repotted  several  times  during  the  first  sum- 
mer. Plenty  of  air  and  a  cool,  half-shady  position  are  best 
suitable  in  summer. 

Araucaria  excelsa.  The  Norfolk  Pine  is  an  elegant  and 
robust-growing  Conifer  with  regular  feathery  branches.  Plants 
must  be  bought ;  propagation  not  practicable  in  a  house.  It 
will  thrive  in  rich  fibrous  soil.  Handsome  both  as  small  plants 
and  large  specimens. 


Aspidistra  luriJa  fol.  varwgata. 


Aspidistra,  with  green  or  variegated  leaves,  is  the  best  foliage- 
plant  for  all  purposes.  Leaves  broad,  lanceolate  on  slender  leaf, 
stalks  growing  from  a  thick  and  fleshy  rootstock.  This  plant 
loves  rich  soil  and  plenty  of  water,  and  will  do  better  in  deep 
shade  than  most  other  plants.      Easily  propagated  by  division. 


138  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

Aucuba  japonica,  an  evergreen,  almost  hardy  shrub  with 
yellow-mottled  leaves,  grows  to  a  large  size  and  is  useful  for 
the  porch  or  lawn  in  summer.  Can  be  wintered  in  a  light  cel- 
lar.     Any  good,  ordinary  soil. 

Bambusa  nana.  This  is  a  graceful  plant  with  lanceolate, 
grass-like  leaves  and  slender,  arching  stems.  Propagated  by 
division.  Soil  rich  and  light.  Abundant  watering  and  par- 
tial shade. 

Begonia  Rex  and  some  other  species  are  exclusively  grown 
for  the  sake  of  their  beautiful  leaves.  They  may  be  increased 
by  means  of  leaf-cuttings  inserted  in  sand,  or  by  means  of  old, 
ripe  leaves  laid  flat  on  the  surface  of  sand,  in  a  warm  glass  case, 
and  cut  across  the  principal  veins.  If  kept  moderately  moist 
and  warm,  young  plants  will  soon  appear  wherever  the  veins 
have  been  cut.  These  can  be  transplanted  in  the  usual  way  in 
small  pots  in  sandy,  vegetable  soil.  Rex  Begonias  require  a 
rather  warm,  shady  position,  a  slight  rest  in  winter,  and  liberal 
watering  during  the  growing  season.  There  are  numerous  va- 
rieties with  mostly  green,  velvety  leaves,  marked  and  colored  in 
various  ways. 

Bertolonia  is  a  small  genus  of  exquisitely  colored  foliage- 
plants,  which  are  excellent  for  terrariums.  They  are  dwarf  in 
habit  and  form  masses  of  leaves  close  to  the  ground.  B.  Van 
Houttii  has  hairy,  ovate  leaves  finely  spotted  with  pink  and 
with  broad  magenta  veins.  B.  marmorata,  with  silvery  and 
deep  bronzy-green  leaves,  is  another  fine  species.  The  stems 
of  both  are  short  and  succulent.  Soil  of  equal  parts  loam, 
peat,  leaf-mould  and  sand  with  broken  pieces  of  charcoal. 

Calatheas  and  Marantas  are  very  fine,  though  rather  tender, 
tropical  plants,  growing  in  deep  shade  among  decaying  leaves 
and  vegetable  matter.      Most  of  them  require  excessive  atmos- 


MISCELLANEOUS  EOLIA GE- PLANTS 


^39 


pheric  moisture,  and  are  therefore  unfit  for  cultivation  in  a 
house  except  in  double  windows.  The  majority  are  dwarf 
plants  with  large  spreading,  variously  colored  leaves.  All  are 
adapted  for  growing  in  terrariums.  They  are  very  attractive 
when  grown  in  suitable  soil  among  miniature  sandstone  rocks. 
Increased  by  cuttings  or  division,  and  grow  well  in  the  same 
soil  as  Bertolonia.  C.  Mackoyana,  leaves  oblong,  green, 
blotched  along  the  midrib  with  white  and  yellow.  C.  Mas- 
sangeana,  leaves  olive-green,  velvety,  middle  portion  silvery- 
gray  with  darker  blotches.  C.  roseo-picta,  leaves  deep-green 
with  a  bright  narrow  rose-colored 
band  on  each  side.  C.  roseo-line- 
ata,  rather  tall  with  leaves  ob- 
liquely lined  with  rosy-red  and 
white.  M.  concinna,  leaves  small, 
bright  green,  regularly  marked 
with  blotches  of  a  deeper  green. 
M.  striata,  dwarf  species  with 
green  leaves  closely  striped  with 
white  and  yellow. 

Croton  or  Codiaeum.  These  are 
remarkable  for  their  large,  leath- 
ery, finely  colored  leaves,  vying  in  brilliancy  of  color  with 
the  foliage  of  Caladium.  Tall  and  woody  plants  requiring 
great  heat  and  sunshine  to  develop  their  full  beauty;  they 
are  admirably  adapted  for  growing  in  dwelling-houses  in  this 
country.  As  small  plants  they  are  useful  for  table  decoration, 
and  when  fine,  large  specimens,  cannot  be  excelled  as  orna- 
mental plants  on  the  lawn  in  summer.  Propagated  by  half- 
ripe  cuttings  in  a  warm  place.  When  potting,  a  rich  fibrous 
soil   should    be  used  and  careful  drainage  is  necessary.      The 


Maranta  roseo-lineata. 


140  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

plants  should  be  grown  in  a  sunny  window,  and  must  be  liber- 
ally watered.  Frequent  spraying  of  the  foliage  and  washing 
to  keep  the  leaves  healthy  and  free  from  dust,  will  help  to  bring 
out  the  full  beauty  of  these  plants. 

The  finest  varieties  are:  C.  Andreanum,  leaves  large,  broadly 
lanceolate  with  yellow  veins;  C.  Disraeli,  leaves  hastate  with 
red  and  golden  veins;  J.  R.  Rothschield,  very  broad,  ovate, 
lanceolate  leaves,  bright  green  with  crimson  and  yellow  veins ; 
C.  undulatum,  lanceolate  leaves  with  wavy  edges,  bronze  with 
red  and  crimson  ;  C.  pictum,  somewhat  similar  to  the  last,  with 
smooth  edges ;  C.  variegatum,  heavily  blotched  leaves,  green 
and  yellow,  with  pale  rose-colored  leaf-stalks ;  C.  elegans  punc- 
tatum,  leaves  small,  almost  linear,  green,  spotted  with  bright 
yellow.  The  varieties  are  very  numerous,  but  the  above  are 
among  the  finest  and  most  easily  obtained  kinds. 

Coleus  are  common,  soft-wooded  bedding-plants  with  richly 
colored  foliage,  varying  from  pale  yellow  to  deep  purple  and 
carmine,  either  one-  or  many-colored.  They  are  easy  of  cult- 
ure and  may  be  propagated  by  cuttings  at  any  time  of  the 
year,  and  should  be  grown  in  rich  fibrous  soil.  Useful  as  speci- 
men plants  for  the  house  or  for  planting  in  window-boxes  and 
vases. 

Coprosma  Baueriana  is  the  name  of  a  handsome  evergreen 
shrub  with  small  ovate  leaves,  which  are  finely  variegated  with 
pure  white.  It  is  almost  hardy,  and  may  be  kept  in  a  cool 
room  during  winter.  Propagated  by  soft-wooded  cuttings  in 
sand.  Pot,  when  rooted,  in  rich  loamy  soil,  and  pinch  the 
young  shoots  slightly  to  form  bushy  specimens  as  the  plants 
grow  on. 

Eranthemum.  Plants  with  yellow,  variegated,  blackish- 
purple  or  in  various  ways  colored  foliage,  with  succulent  stems, 


MISCELLANEOUS  FOLIAGE-PLANTS  141 

and  of  a  dwarf,  bushy  habit.     The  following  varieties  are  ex- 
tremely fine,  and  as  easy  of  culture  as  Coleus  : 

E.  albo  -  marginatum,  large  ovate  leaves  margined  with 
white;  E.  atropurpureum,  leaves  black-purple;  E.  eldorado, 
bright  yellow  ;  E.  reticulatum,  leaves  broadly  lanceolate,  green, 
with  numerous  golden  veins.  The  Eranthemums  are  suitable 
for  all  purposes,  and  are  very  ornamental  when  grown  into  good 
specimens. 

Eucalyptus  globulus.  The  blue  gum-tree  of  Australia  is  a 
very  rapid  growing  tree,  and  beautiful  when  young.  Young 
plants  are  best,  and  should  be  raised  every  year  from  seed. 
Seed  sown  in  sandy  soil  and  kept  in  a  moderately  warm  and 
shady  place  germinates  readily.  The  seedlings  should  be  pot- 
ted singly  in  two-  or  three-inch  pots  in  rich  fibrous  soil. 

Farfugium  grande  is  a  strong-growing  herbaceous  plant, 
with  large  orbicular  yellow-spotted  leaves  on  tall  leaf-stalks. 
Will  grow  rapidly  in  rich  soil,  and  form  fine  specimen  plants. 
Culture  as  simple  and  easy  as  that  of  Aspidistra,  which  see. 

Ficus,  or  Rubber-plants,  are  common  and  popular  every- 
where. They  should  be  grown  in  rich  soil,  and  require  liberal 
watering  in  summer.  Besides  the  common  Rubber-plant  there 
are  several  other  species  of  great  beauty.  The  best  are  F. 
Cooperii,  with  large  ovate-acuminate  leaves  with  red  midribs. 
F.  Parcellii  with  tender  green  leaves,  heavily  blotched  and 
marbled  with  white.  These  are  especially  valuable  for  the 
Southern  States,  and  are  easily  propagated  by  means  of  cuttings 
in  a  warm  place.  F.  elastica  is  more  difficult  to  increase ; 
tops  of  old,  straggling  plants  may  be  rooted  in  the  following 
manner  :  Select  ripe  branches  with  several  good  leaves,  and  re- 
move a  ring  of  bark  just  below  the  lowest  one.  Split  a  small 
flower-pot  lengthways  and  place  the  same  round  the  branch, 


142 


WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 


fill  with  moss  or  soil,  and  keep  moist  until  thoroughly  rooted, 
when  the  tops  may  be  removed  and  potted  without  danger. 
The  leaves  should  be  frequently  washed,  and  occasional  spray- 
ings are  to  be  recommended.  Lib- 
eral top-dressings  Avith  safe  arti- 
ficial manures  should  be  given  to 
older  plants. 

Fittonias  are  fine  trailing  plants 
with  large  elliptical  leaves.  F. 
argyroneura  has  deep-green  leaves 
with  numerous  pure  white  veins. 
F.  Pearsii  and  F.  gigantea  have 
fine  red -veined  leaves.  Cuttings 
root  with  the  greatest  of  ease. 
Same  soil  and  treatment  as  recom- 
mended for  Bertolonia,  and  useful 
for  the  same  purpose. 

Grevillea  robusta.     Silk  Oak. 

Leaves  large,  bipinnate,  finely  cut. 

Stem    slender,    erect.     This   is    a 

very  fine  foliage-plant  for  the  parlor,  and  when  small  one  of 

the  best  plants  for  table  decoration.      Propagated  by  seed  and 

cultivated  like  Aralia. 

Iresine.  A  plant  of  the  Amaranth  family,  with  variegated  or 
red  foliage,  mostly  used  for  window-boxes  and  vases.  The 
variety  I.  aureo-reticulata  has  green  leaves  with  red  veins  and 
leaf-stalks,  reticulated  with  yellow.  I.  Lindenii  has  red  leaves 
and  is  a  very  common  plant,  grown  along  with  Coleus  under 
precisely  the  same  treatment. 

Isolepis  is  a  small  grass-like  plant,  of  a  tufty  habit,  with 
thread-like  pendulous  leaves.     It  is  very  useful  in  small  pots 


Rubber-tree.     Ficus  elastic 


MISCELLANEOUS  FOLIAGE- PLANTS 


143 


for  edgings  to  flower-stands,  vases,  and  boxes.  This  plant 
should  be  kept  in  a  small  state  by  frequent  division.  Rich, 
but  sandy,  vegetable  soil  suits  it  best. 

Kaempferias  are  interesting  herbaceous  plants  with  fleshy 
root-stock  and  roots,  and  flower  early  in  spring  before  the 
leaves  appear.  The  flowers  are  very  delicate  and  beautiful,  and 
very  sweet-scented.  The  plants  are,  however,  chiefly  grown 
as  foliage-plants.  The  best  one  for  this  purpose  is  the  variety 
named  Gilbertii,  with  broad  and  long  Dracena-like  leaves  in 
dense  tufts.  Foliage  variegated  with  white.  The  Kaempfer- 
ias should  be  allowed  to  rest  during  the  earlier  part  of  winter, 
after  which  the  roots  should  be 
cleaned,  potted  in  very  fibrous 
and  light  soil,  and  started  in  a 
warm  room.  The  flowers  will 
soon  appear  and  remain  for  a 
considerable  period,  after  which 
the  leaves  develop. 

Laurus  nobilis.  The  Sweet 
Bay  is  an  evergreen  tree  with 
lanceolate,  leathery  leaves.  Cul- 
tivated in  different  ways,  with  a 
stem  and  globular  crowns,  or  as 
bushy  or  pyramidal  plants  with 
leaves  down  to  the  ground.  Rich 
fibrous  loam  is  the  best  soil.  The 
plants  may  be  kept  in  a  cool 
and  light  cellar  in  winter,  to  be  used  in  summer  for  lawn 
decoration. 

Mimosa  pudica.     Sensitive  plant.      This  is  a  very  interest- 
ing as  well  as  beautiful  plant,  with  doubly  pinnate  leaves,  sen- 


Fiais  Parcelli. 


144  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

sitive  to  the  touch.      Plants  can  be  raised  early  in  spring  from 
seeds,  with  the  greatest  of  ease.     They  will  do  well  in  any  o< 
dinary  soil. 

The  seeds  can  be  sown,  two  or  three  in  a  small  pot.  After 
germination  the  strongest  should  be  kept.  Plenty  of  water 
and  good  drainage  are  essential. 

Panicum  variegatum,  a  grass  with  white-variegated  foliage, 
of  a  creeping  habit,  is  very  useful  for  edging  window-boxes 
and  vases,  or  in  pots  for  flower-stands.  Propagated  by  cuttings 
of  trailing  shoots.  Grows  well  in  sandy,  fibrous  soil  in  a  half- 
shady  position. 

Pelargonium  crispum,  with  roundish  leaves,  P.  fragrans 
with  trilobate,  and  P.  quercifolium  with  deeply  incised  leaves 
remotely  resembling  oak-leaves,  are  grown  for  the  sake  of  their 
strongly  scented  foliage,  under  their  respective  names  of  Apple-, 
Nutmeg-,  and  Rose-geraniums.  Propagated  and  grown  as  Ger- 
aniums. 

Pellionia  pulchra.  A  neat  and  beautiful  foliage-plant  with 
fleshy,  trailing  stems  and  obliquely  cordate,  leathery  leaves  of 
a  blackish-green  color,  dull  purple  beneath.  Will  grow  easily 
from  cuttings  in  any  ordinary  soil.      Handsome  for  terrariums. 

Peperomia  is  a  small  genus  of  very  dwarf  foliage-plants  of 
neat  habit,  very  useful  for  edging  or  for  growing  in  terra- 
riums. P.  argyrea,  leaves  orbicular,  green,  marbled  with  white. 
P.  Saundersii,  leaves  orbicular,  succulent,  green  banded  with 
white.  Easily  increased  by  division  and  grow  well  in  light, 
sandy,  vegetable  soil. 

Pilea  muscosa.  Artillery-plant.  Soft-wooded,  erect  plants 
with  very  small,  reddish  leaves,  and  minute  flowers  that  open 
suddenly  when  breathed  upon,  dispersing  the  fine  white  pollen. 
Propagated  by  cuttings  and  grown  in  light,  fibrous  soil. 


MISCELLANEO US  FOLIA GE-PLAN TS 


H5 


Ruellia  Devosiana.     A  beautiful  and  compact  plant,  with 

■  all  lanceolate  leaves,   velvety  green  with  white  pencillings 

jve,  purple  beneath.  Flowers  unimportant.  Will  grow  well 
in  rich  vegetable  soil,  in  a  moist  and  warm  place  such  as  a 
t-errarium.     Easy  to  increase  by  means  of  cuttings. 

Sanchesia  nobilis,  a  plant  of  the  Acanthus  family,  with 
short  stems  and  large  oblong- 
acuminate  leaves  marked  with 
yellow  bands  along  the  veins. 
Propagated  by  cuttings  which  root 
readily  in  a  warm  place.  Soil  rich 
and  fibrous,  abundant  watering  in 
summer  and  a  half-shady  position. 

Sonerila  Margaritacea.  A  fine 
foliage-plant  with  ovate  lanceolate 
leaves  of  a  dark  glossy  green,  with 
white  spots  in  longitudinal  rows  on 
the  upper  surface.  Flowers  pretty, 
rose-purple  in  small  corymbs.    This 

is  a  fine  plant  for  the  terrarium,  where  it  should  be  grown  in  a 
well-drained  position  in  sandy,  vegetable  soil. 

Stenandrium  Lindenii.  This  is  a  very  effective  foliage- 
plant,  nearly  related  to  the  Eranthemums.  The  leaves  are  obo- 
vate  in  outline,  tapering  toward  the  base.  The  color  is  of  a 
rich,  velvety  green  with  yellow  variegations  along  the  veins. 
This  is  a  fine  plant  for  terrariums  or  for  any  warm  room.  It 
requires  shade  and  moisture,  and  prefers  rich  vegetable  soil 
with  plenty  of  sand.  The  procumbent  branches  will  root 
easily,  and  when  separated  soon  form  nice  plants. 

Strobilanthus  is  a  new  kind  of  bedding-plant,  with  leaves 
richly  suffused    with   steel-blue    and    purple.      Will    probably 


146  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

prove  useful  in  vases  and  window-boxes.      Can  be  grown  as 
Coleus. 

Umbrella  plant.  Cyperus  alternifolius,  with  green  leaves, 
and  Cyperus  laxus,  with  variegated  ones ;  both  are  sold  under 
the  above  name.  They  are  very  neat  and  useful  plants  when 
well  grown,  requiring  plenty  of  moisture,  good  drainage,  and 
rich  fibrous  soil.  Progagated  by  cuttings  of  the  tall  "  leaves  " 
or  by  division. 


XV 

CLIMBING    AND   TRAILING    PLANTS 

INKS  and  creepers  in  great  variety  may  be  grown 
to  perfection  in  any  house.  Their  graceful 
habits  render  them  especially  useful  for  home 
decoration.  Some  may  be  trained  around  the 
windows  and  doors  to  make  rich  and  beautiful 
festoons  of  leaves  and  flowers.  Many,  as  the  common  Ivy, 
will  grow  in  deep  shade  and  require  little  or  no  care,  others 
enjoy  light  and  sunshine,  but  are  also  easy  of  culture.  Boxes 
with  neat  trelliswork  may  be  employed  to  form  beautiful 
living  screens  of  climbing  plants  and  vines.  In  selecting 
this  class  of  plants  for  the  house,  care  should  be  taken  to 
choose  varieties  that  will  develop  their  full  beauty  in  a  com- 
paratively short  time,  as  many  otherwise  valuable  kinds  flower 
only  when  large  and  old,  and  such  varieties  are  always  disap- 
pointing. The  following  kinds,  when  grown  for  the  sake  of 
their  flowers,  are  free-flowering  and  easy  of  culture.  Some  are 
foliage-plants,  and  should  always  be  ornamental. 

Allamanda.  This  is  an  elegant,  straggling  shrub  with  long 
and  slender  branches,  producing  large  trumpet-shaped  flowers 
of  a  deep  yellow  color,  and  rather  long  lanceolate  leaves  in 
whorls.  Propagated  by  half-ripe  cuttings,  and  will  do  well  in 
a  rich,  fibrous  soil.  When  the  summer  growth  is  finished  late 
in   fall   the   plants  should   have  a  thorough  rest  in  winter,  but 


148  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

must  not  be  allowed  to  lose  the  leaves.  The  ripened  branches 
of  the  previous  year  will  produce  clusters  of  flowers  in  spring. 
The  young  shoots,  after  flowering,  should  be  pruned  back,  and 
watering  should  be  gradually  increased  as  the  young  growth 
develops.  These  plants  enjoy  plenty  of  heat  and  sunshine. 
The  best  varieties  are:  A.  Hendersonii, 
A.  Schottii,  and  A.  nerifolia. 

Aristolochia.  Of  these  curious  plants, 
the  Dutchman's  Pipes  or  Birthworts,  there 
are  several  small  and  elegant  forms  produc- 
ing large  flowers  of  grotesque  shape.  The 
variety,  elegans,  is  the  best  for  common 
\,^J^i,  use.     Other  very  interesting  kinds  are  :   A. 

grandiflora  and  A.  ridicula.      Soil  of  equal 
parts  loam,  leaf-mould,  well-rotted  manure, 
and  sand  is  very  suitable.      Propagated  by 
cuttings.     A  warm  and  sunny  position  and  plenty  of  water  dur- 
ing the  growing  season  are  necessary. 

Asparagus  plumosus  and  its  variety,  nanus,  are,  the  first  a 
fine  climber,  and  the  second  a  neat  fern-like  plant  with  feathery 
foliage.  Both  may  be  increased  by  division  or  seed.  The 
dwarf  variety  is  very  useful  for  table  decoration.  They  will 
thrive  in  the  same  kind  of  soil  as  Aristolochia. 

Bignonia  capensis  is  a  handsome  creeper  with  pinnate 
leaves  and  large  trusses  of  orange-scarlet  flowers  early  in  spring. 
It  can  be  kept  low  and  bushy  by  means  of  pruning.  Should 
be  grown  in  a  sunny  position,  in  rich,  fibrous  soil,  and  re- 
quires plenty  of  water  while  growing. 

Bougainvillea  glabra  is  a  large-growing,  woody  plant,  pro- 
ducing numerous  flowers  which  are  surrounded  by  purple 
bracts,  making  the  plant  very  showy  when   in  bloom.      It  is 


CLIMBING   AND    TRAILING   PLANTS 


•49 


easily  grown  in  a  house,  in  the  same  soil  as  Allamanda  and  with 
the  same  treatment.  There  is  a  dwarf,  bushy  variety  called 
Sanderiana. 

Cissus  discolor,  a  beautiful  vine  with  cordate,  velvety  green 
leaves  mottled  with  white  and  pink  on  the  upper  surface  ;  red 
below.  Useful  for  vases  and  brackets  ;  will  grow  best  in  a 
terrarium  or  double  window.  Propagated  by  cuttings.  Soil 
as  for  Aristolochia. 

Clematis  indivisa  lobata.  Fine  climber,  with  leathery, 
ternate  leaves  and  a  profusion  of  white,  daisy-like  flowers  in 
large  panicles  early  in  summer.  Very  useful  and  exceedingly 
beautiful  for  a  sunny  window. 

Clerodendron  Balfourii.  This  plant 
flowers  when  quite  small,  producing  im- 
mense clusters  of  crimson  flowers  with 
large  white  calyx.  The  foliage  is  fine, 
of  a  deep-green  color.  This  is  one  of 
the  best  climbers  for  window  culture. 
Soil  rich  and  fibrous.  Propagation  by 
cuttings. 

Cobaea  is  a  very  rapid  -  growing 
climber,  with  large  bell-shaped  flowers 
of  a  greenish-purple  color  and  pinnate 
tendriled  leaves.  Propagated  by  seed 
and  treated  as  an  annual.  Useful  out- 
side of  windows  or  for  the  veranda. 

Hedera.  Common  Ivy.  Some  of 
the  finer  varieties,  especially  the  variegated  ones,  are  beautiful 
for  all  purposes.  They  will  grow  in  deep  shade,  and  require 
little  or  no  attention  except  an  occasional  watering.  Some  of 
the  varieties  are  finely  mottled  and  marbled  with  white  or  yel- 


Variegated  Ivy. 
Hedera  algeriensi 


i5o  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

low,  others  have  the  foliage  broadly  margined  with  white. 
They  also  differ  in  the  size  and  shape  of  their  leaves.  The  best 
varieties  are :  algeriensis,  marginata,  and  marmorata.  The 
common  green  Irish  Ivy  is  also  beautiful. 

Hoya  carnosa.  Wax-flower.  So  called  because  of  the  waxy 
appearance  of  the  small  clustered  flowers.  The  leaves  are 
thick  and  fleshy,  either  green  or  variegated.  Propagated  by 
cuttings.      For  potting  use  fibrous  soil  and  good  drainage. 

Jasminum.  The  Jessamines  are  pretty  climbing  plants, 
with  white  or  yellow  fragrant  flowers.  All  are  easy  of  culture, 
and  very  ornamental  when  in  flower.  The  variety  known  as 
J.  gracillimum  is  the  best  for  general  use.  Propagated  by 
cuttings.      Soil  as  for  xVristolochia. 

Kennedy  a  Maryattae.  A  fine,  slender  climber  of  the  Pea- 
family,  with  large  scarlet  flowers  in  axillary  clusters.  Leaves 
trifoliate,  hairy,  with  wavy  edges.  Rapid  -  growing  and  one 
of  the  finest  climbers  known.  Propagated  by  seeds.  Soil  as 
above. 

Manettia  is  a  neat  little  climber,  with  small,  broadly  lanceo- 
lated  leaves  and  tubular  flowers  of  a  bright-scarlet  color  with 
yellow  segments.     Easily  increased  by  cuttings.    Soil  as  above. 

Maurandia.  A  class  of  plants  with  pretty  blue  or  purple 
flowers.  Tender  climbers  propagated  by  seeds,  and  treated  as 
Cobrea. 

Mikania.  The  so-called  German  Ivy.  An  American  plant 
of  Ivy-like  appearance,  a  very  rapid  grower,  and  one  of  the 
best  climbers  for  a  house.     Propagated  by  means  of  cuttings. 

Passiflora.  Passion-flowers  are  well-known  plants  with  large, 
beautiful  flowers,  white,  blue,  or  scarlet,  generally  very  showy 
and  of  peculiar  structure.  The  variety  known  as  Elliot's  white, 
P.  coerulea  alba,  is  a  pure  white  form  of  the  old  blue  Passion 


CLIMBING  AND    TRAILING  PLANTS 


flower,  and  deserves  a  place  in  every  home.  The  scarlet  flow- 
ering varieties  are  less  common,  but  comparatively  easy  to  ob- 
tain. Propagated  by  cuttings 
and  grown  in  rich  soil. 

Solanum  jasminoides  is  a 
very  fine  climber  of  the  Potato 
family,  producing  large  clusters 
of  pure  white  flowers.  This  is 
useful  for  vases,  baskets,  and 
window-boxes,  and  is  perhaps 
the  best  plant  of  its  class  for 
either  purpose.  Propagated  by 
cuttings.  Will  do  well  in  rich 
fibrous  soil. 

Stigmaphyllum  ciliatum. 
Butterfly  Vine.  One  of  the 
prettiest  and  most  floriferous 
climbers  for  a  warm,  sunny  po- 
sition. The  flowers  are  bright  yellow,  the  leaves  heart-shaped. 
This  beautiful  plant  will  do  well  in  very  small  pots,  is  always 
clean  and  free  from  insects.  The  slender  stems  and  its  graceful 
habit  make  it  one  of  the  most  ornamental  plants. 

Thunbergia  alata.  Tender  annual  with  white  or  buff-col- 
ored flowers,  easily  propagated  by  seeds  and  treated  as  Cobren. 

Th.  erecta  is  a  woody  plant,  with  dark  willow-like  leaves, 
and  large  axillary  flowers  of  a  fine  blue  color.  Propagated  by 
cuttings.      This  is  a  fine,  bushy  plant. 

Smilax  is  a  well-known  green-house  climber,  extensively 
grown  in  this  country  for  florist  work.  It  does  not,  as  a  rule, 
thrive  in  a  house. 

Zeneria  scabra.     A  plant  of  the  Gourd-family,  with  palmate 


White   Passion   Flower. 
Passijlora  caerulea  alba. 


152  WINDOW  AND  PARLOR    GARDENING 

leaves  and  a  profusion  of  white  flowers,  followed  by  very  orna- 
mental scarlet  berries,  is  a  very  rapid-growing  vine  easily  prop- 
agated by  seeds. 

There  are  a  number  of  trailing  and  creeping  plants  generally 
grown  in  baskets  and  vases,  or  in  window-boxes  and  pots. 
They  are  of  graceful  habit  and  very  ornamental  when  well 
grown.     Among  these  are  : 

Campanula  garganica,  a  bell-flower  with  slender,  trailing 
stems  and  numerous  blue  flowers  during  spring  and  sum- 
mer.    Very  ornamental. 

Ficus  repens.  This  is  a  very  small  and  slender  vine  with 
creeping  stems  and  air-roots,  attaching  itself  to  a  wall  or  other 
object,  to  which  it  grows  closely,  forming  a  fine  mass  of  deep- 
green  leaves.     Useful  for  vases  and  hanging  baskets. 

Glechoma  hederacea,  with  variegated  leaves,  is  a  form  of  a 
common  weed  that  has  lately  become  important  as  an  orna- 
mental plant.  It  is  very  pretty  for  hanging  baskets  and  win- 
dow-boxes.    The  leaves  are  orbicular  green  with  white  margin. 

Pelargonium  peltatum.  The  Ivy-leaved  Geranium  is  an 
exceptionally  pretty  plant,  with  numerous  single  or  double 
flowers  of  various  colors,  in  large  clusters.  For  culture  see 
Geranium. 

Torenia.  Nice  little  plants  with  snap-dragon-like  flowers, 
either  blue  or  white.     Raised  from  seeds  in  spring. 

Tradescantia.  Wandering  Jew.  Three  or  four  varieties 
with  green,  white-striped ;  or  red,  white,  and  green  foliage. 
Stem  and  leaves  succulent.      Pretty  for  hanging  baskets. 

Verbenas  are  also  useful  for  indoor  use  as  well  as  for  win- 
dow-boxes and  vases.  They  are  well  known  and  need  no  de- 
scription. Should  be  raised  by  means  of  seed  or  cuttings  early 
in  spring. 


CLIMBING  AND    TRAILING  PLANTS  153 

Vinca  major  with  white  or  yellow  variegated  foliage  ;  has 
long  slender,  hanging  stems,  and  is  one  of  the  most  orna- 
mental plants  for  vases  and  window-boxes. 

All  the  above  are  easily  increased  by  cuttings,  and  require 
no  special  treatment. 

The  little  blue  Lobelia  so  commonly  seen  in  gardens,  is  also 
useful  for  all  purposes.  So  are  various  kinds  of  Indian  Cress 
(Tropaeolum),  all  easily  raised  from  seed.  There  is  a  varie- 
gated Tropseolum  commonly  grown  in  green-houses,  propagated 
by  cuttings. 


XVI 

PLANTS    WITH    ORNAMENTAL   FRUIT 

?HE  plants  producing  ornamental  fruit  in  a  house  are 
few  in  number  and  not  important.  The  following 
are  very  ornamental : 

Ardisia  crenulata.  Shrub,  with  dark  green  foli- 
age, clusters  of  white  flowers,  dotted  red  followed 
by  clusters  of  scarlet  berries.  Propagated  by  cuttings  and 
grown  in  rich,  fibrous  soil  in  a  cool  and  airy  apartment. 
Height  two  or  three  feet. 

Nertera  depressa  is  a  dwarf,  tender  plant  finely  tufted,  with 
slender  trailing  stems,  and  numerous  small  red  berries  on  the 
surface.  This  is  an  easily  grown  plant  suitable  for  terrariums 
or  Wardian  cases.     Seeds  or  cuttings. 

Rivina  humilis.  Rapid-growing  plant  of  the  Poke-berry- 
family,  of  an  erect  habit,  with  long  racemes  of  scarlet  berries. 
Grows  very  easily  from  seeds,  and  needs  no  special  culture. 

Solanum  capsicastrum  is  a  compact  shrub  of  the  Potato 
family,  producing  numerous  berries  of  a  deep  scarlet  color. 
Ornamental  for  table  decoration,  and  easily  grown  from  seeds 
or  cuttings.  Pinch  the  young  plants  to  produce  bushy  speci- 
mens. Water  carefully  when  the  fruit  is  being  formed,  and 
sparingly  when  ripe.  The  fruit  ripens  in  November  or  Decem- 
ber and  remains  on  the  plants  for  several  months. 


XVII 


^r>. 


BULBS   AND   HARDY   PLANTS   FOR   FORCING 

iliufoi  lancifolium  is  one  of  the  finest  flowering  bulbs 
for  forcing.  The  flowers  are  large,  with  narrow- 
recurved  petals  of  a  rosy-red  color  dotted  with 
darker  spots.  It  flow- 
ers late  in  spring  and 
summer  when  forced,  or 

late  in  fall  when  left  in  the  open 

ground.     L.    Harrisii,    the   white 

trumpet-like  flowers  of  which  are  uni- 
versally used  by  florists,  flowers  early 

in  the  season  and  is  generally  at  its 

best    about    Easter.      L.    candidum, 

the  white  lily,  is  well  known,  and  is 

quite  as  beautiful   in  pots  as  in  the 

garden  border. 

Freesia.     This  is  a  dwarf  lily-like 

plant  with  white  trumpet-like  flowers 

in  large  clusters.      It  flowers  early  in 

spring  or  summer.     The   bulbs    are 

small,    and    several    should    be    put 

together  in  a  four-  or  five-inch  pot. 

Crocus,  Tulips,  and  Hyacinths   are  very  beautiful    when 

forced   for  early   winter-flowering.     They   can   all  be  had   in 


Lance-leaved   Lily. 
Lilium  lancifolium. 


156  WINDOW  AND   PARLOR    GARDENING 

flower  about  Christmas-time.  Hyacinths  can  be  grown  either 
in  ordinary  pots  or  in  water,  in  glasses  made  for  the  purpose. 
Crocus  and  Tulips  should  be  put  several  together  in  small 
pots.  They  are  very  showy  when  in  flower,  and  the  bulbs  are 
very  cheap.  The  single  varieties  of  both  Hyacinths  or  Tulips 
are  the  best  for  every  purpose. 

Narcissi  of  all  kinds,  including  the  Chinese  Sacred  Lily  and 
the  fragrant  Poets'  Narcissus,  are  very  useful  for  winter-flower- 
ing. The  little  white  Galanthus  also  looks  well  in  pots  or 
massed  in  small  shallow  pans.  The  Chinese  Lily  is  frequently 
grown  in  pretty  glass  bowls  filled  with  clean  pebbles  and 
water. 

The  soil  used  for  all  bulbs  should  be  composed  of  equal 
parts  of  loam,  well-rotted  manure,  or  leaf-mould  and  sand,  and 
the  pots  must  be  well  drained. 

After  potting  a  good  watering  is  necessary.  They  are  then 
placed  in  a  cool,  dark  cellar  until  rooted,  when  they  can  be 
brought  into  a  warm  apartment  one  by  one,  as  required  to 
keep  up  a  continuous  supply  of  flowering  plants.  Bulbs  should 
not  be  buried  too  deep  in  the  soil. 

Among  other  hardy  plants  useful  for  forcing- the  Anemones 
take  a  prominent  place.  The  scarlet  anemone  is  the  most 
showy  one  and  the  best. 

The  Japanese  Spirea  (Hoteja  japonica)  when  forced  is  ex- 
ceptionally beautiful.  The  white  flowers  are  produced  in  very 
large  panicles,  and  the  bright-green  compound  leaves  spreading 
below  make  a  beautiful  contrast.  This  is  one  of  the  most  useful 
plants  for  forcing,  and  may  be  had  in  flower  for  a  considerable 
period. 

Many  Stone-crops  (Saxifraga),  Primroses,  and  other  herba- 
ceous plants  are  very  good  for  forcing.     The  Christmas  Rose 


BULBS  AND  HARDY  PLANTS  FOR  FORCING     157 

(Helleborus  niger)  has  large  pure  white  flowers,  and  may  be 
had  in  full  bloom  at  Christmas. 

Several  shrubby  plants  as  Azaleas  and  Mountain  Laurels, 
when  well  established  in  pots  and  brought  into  warm  rooms, 
will  flower  early  and  make  a  good  effect.  Hardy  ferns  and 
some  of  the  choice  wild  flowers  can  be  forced  in  the  same  way 
as  bulbs. 

The  Violet  is  perhaps  the  most  popular  of  all  plants  for  this 
purpose.  Planted  in  masses  in  shallow  pans  or  neat  wooden 
boxes  of  a  convenient  size,  in  about  two  or  three  inches  of  rich 
fibrous  soil,  it  will  grow  and  flower  profusely.  Plant  single 
crowns  about  three  inches  apart  in  the  box  or  pan.  Water 
thoroughly  and  grow  in  a  cool  cellar  close  to  a  north  window, 
where  the  plants  can  remain  cool  and  partially  shaded  through 
summer.  All  runners  should  be  removed,  as  the  original 
crowns  will  be  sufficient  to  fill  the  space.  In  fall  the  plants 
must  be  cleaned,  all  dead  or  withered  leaves  should  be  re- 
moved. The  surface  of  the  soil  should  afterward  be  mulched 
with  chopped  moss  or  covered  with  fine  pebbles.  During 
winter,  when  the  plants  are  desired  to  bloom,  a  warm,  sunny 
position  is  the  best.  As  the  pans  and  boxes  become  covered 
with  flowers,  they  may  be  brought  into  the  sitting-room  or 
parlor.  Moderate  watering  is  to  be  recommended  at  all 
times. 


A 

Aaron's  beard,  134 

Abutilon,  122 

Acacia,  122 

Acalypha,  136 

Acanthus  family,  130 

Achimenes,   123 

Achmea,  103 

Adam's  needle.     See  Yucca. 

Adiantum,  11S 

African  lily,  89 

Agapanthus,  89 

Agathea,  123 

Agave,  87 

Ageratum,  123 

Allamanda,  147 

Alocacia,  100 

Aloe,  86 

Aloysia,  136 

Alyssum,  123 

Amaranth,  136 

Amaryllis,  89 

Amazon  lily,  90 

American  aloe,  87 

American  olive,  133 

Anemone,  156 

Anthericum,  136 

Anthurium,  101 


Apple  geranium,  144 
Aralia,  136 
Ardisia,  154 
Areca,  108 
Aristolochia,  148 
Aroids,  99 
Aroucaria,  137 
Artillery  plant.     See  Pilea. 
Asparagus,  148 
Aspidistra,  137 
Aspidium,  11S 
Asplenium,  119 
Aucuba,  13S 
Azalea,  123,  157 

B 

Baby  orchid.     See  Odontoglossum. 

Balsam,  69 

Bamboo,  138 

Bambusa,  138 

Banana  family,  112 

Bay-tree.     See  Laurus. 

Begonia,  69,  138 

Bertolonia,  138 

Bignonia,  148 

Billbergia,  104 

Birthwort.      See  Aristolochia. 

Blue  gum.      See  Eucalyptus. 


i6o 


INDEX 


Boronia,  124 

Bougainvillea,  148 

Bouvardia,  124 

Bowstring  hemp.     See  Sanseviera. 

Bromelia,  104 

Bromeliads,  103 

Browallia,  124 

Bryophyllum,  S5 

Bulbs,  S9,  155 

Butterfly  orchid,  g6 

Butterfly  vine,  151 


C 


Cactus,  So 

Caladium,  100 

Calathea,  13S 

Calceolaria,  73 

Calla,  gg 

Camellia,  124 

Campanula,  152 

Canna,  125 

Cape  Heath.     See  Erica. 

Cape  jessamine.     See  Gardenia. 

Cape  lily.     See  Agapanthus. 

Carludovica,  1 12 

Carnation,  66 

Caryota,  no 

Century  plant.      See  Agave. 

Cereus,  80 

Ceroxylon,  no 

Chamredorea,  108 

Chamerops,  no 

( 'heiranthus,  77 

Cherokee  bean,  128 

Chinese  primrose,  74 

Chinese  rose,  129 

Chinese  sacred  lily,  156 

Chorizema,  125 

Choysia,  125 


Christmas  rose,  156 

Chrysanthemum,  67 

Cigar  plant,  126 

Cineraria,  73 

Cissus,  149 

Citrus,  125 

Clematis,  149 

Clerodendron,  149 

Clivia  =  Imantophyllum 

Clubmoss,  121 

Cobrea,  149 

Cocos,  108 

Codiseum,  139 

Ccelogyne,  95 

Coleus,  140 

Coprosma,  140 

Coral-tree.     See  Erythrina, 

Cordyline  =  Dracena. 

Cotyledon,  84 

Crassula,  S4 

Crimson  periwinkle,  134 

Crinum,  90 

Crocus,  155 

Croton,  139 

Cuphea,  126 

Curculigo,  112 

Curmeria,  101 

Cycas,  215 

Cyclamen,  74 

Cyperus,  146 

Cypripedium,  97 

Cytisus,  126 

n 

Date  palm.     See  Phoenix. 

Datum,  126 
Davallia,  119 
Dendrobium,  96 
Dianthus.     See  Carnation. 


INDEX 


161 


Dieffenbachia,  ior 

Dracena,  114 

Dutchman's  pipe.     See  Aristolochia. 

E 

Eagle  fern,  120 
Echeveria,  84 
Echinocactus,  81 
Echinopsis,  81 
Epacris,  126 
Epiphyllum,  81 
Eranthemu  n,  131,  140 
Erica,  126 
Erythrina,  127 
Eucalyptus,  141 
Eucharis,  go 
Euphorbia,  128 


Fan  palms,  no 
Farfugium,  141 

Ferns,  117 
Ficus,  141,  152 
Filmy  ferns,  121 
Fittonia,  142 
Flamingo  plant,  100 
Flowering  flax,  131 
Flowering  maple,  122 
Freesia,  155 
French  cannas,  125 
Fuchsia,  75 


Gardenia,  128 

Gasteria,  86 

Geranium,   76 

German  ivy.      See  Mikania. 


Gesnera,   129 

Glechoma,  152 

Gloxinia,  77 

Gold  fern,  120 

Grevillea,  142 

Guernsey  lily.     See  Nerine. 

Gymnogramme,  120 


H 

Hare's  foot  fern,  119 

Hedera,  149 

Heliconia,  112 

Heliotrope,  7S 

Helleborus.     See  Christmas  rose. 

Hibiscus,  129 

Hoteia,  156 

House-leek.     See  Sempervivum. 

Hoya,  150 

Hyacinths,  155 

Hydrangea,  130 

Ilymenocallis,  91 


Ice   plant, 
mum. 
Imantophyllum,  91 
Impatiens.     See  Balsam. 
Indian  cress,  153 
Indian  fig.     See  Opuntia. 
Iresine,  142 
Isolepis,  142 
Isoloma,  129 
Ivy,  149 


Jacobin  ia,  130 
Japanese  spirea,  156 


See    Mesembryanthe- 


INDEX 


Jasminum,  150 
Jessamine,  150 
Justitia,  130 


K 


Ksempferia,  143 

Kennedya,  150 
Kentia,  109 


Lady's  slipper,  97 
Lrelia,  95 
Lantana,  131 
Lastrea,  118 
Latania  =  Livistona. 
Laurus,  143 
Libonia,  130 
Licuala,  no 
Lilies,  89,  155 
Lilium,  155 
Lily  of  the  valley,  157 
Linura,  131 
Livistona,  no 
Lobelia,  153 
Lycaste,  97 

M 

Mahernia,  132 
Maiden-hair  fern,  118 
Mammillaria,  81 
Manettia,  150 
Maranta,  138 
Marguerite,  78 
Massangea,  104 
Maurandia,  150 
Melocactus,  81 
Mesembryanthemum,  85 


Mignonette,  132 
Mikania,  150 
Milkwort,  128 
Mimosa,  143 
Mimulus=  Musk,  132 
Mountain  laurel,  157 
Myrtle  —  Myrtus,  132 

N 

Nregelia,  129 
Narcissus,  156 
Nephrodium,  120 
Nephrolepis,  120 
Nerine,  91 
Nerium,  132 
Nertera,  154 
Norfolk  pine,  137 
Nutmeg  geranium,  144 

O 

Odontoglossum,  95 
Olea,  133 
Oleander,  132 
Oncidium,  96 
Onychium,  120 
Opuntia,  81 
Orange.     See  Citrus. 
Orchids,  93 
Oreodoxa,  no 
Othonna,  88 
Oxalis,  133 


Palms,  106 
Fanicum,  144 
Tansies,  133 
Paris  daisy,  78 


INDEX 


163 


Passion  flower,  150 
Pelargonium,  79,  144,  15: 
Pellionia,  144 
Peperomia,  144 
Pereskia,  82 
Peristrophe,  130 
Periwinkle,   134 
Persian  violet,  74 
Petunia,  79 
Philodendron,  101 
Phoenix,  109 
Phyllocactus,  82 
Phyllotxnium,  101 
Pilea,  144 
Pleroma,  133 
Poinsettia  =  Euphorbia. 
Polygala,  133 
Primrose,  133 
Primula,  74,  133 
Pteris,  120 
Ptycosperma,  no 


R 

Rex  begonia,  13S 
Rhapis,  in 
Richardia.     See  Calla. 
Rivina,  154 
Rochea,  85 
Rose,  65 

Rose  geranium,  144 
Royal  palm,  no 
Rubber-tree,  142 
Ruellia,  145 


Sago-palm,  115 
Sanchesia,  145 


Sanseviera,  92 

Saxifraga,  134 

Scarborough  lily.     See  Vallota. 

Scilla,  92 

Screw-pine,  112 

Sedum,  S6 

Sempervivum,  86 

Sensitive  plant,  143 

Shield  fern,  11S 

Silk  oak,  142 

Silver  wattle.     See  Acacia. 

Smilax,  151 

Solanum,  151,  154 

Sonerila,  145 

Sparmannia,  134 

Spider  lily,  91 

Spirea,  156 

Spleenwort,  119 

Spurge,  128 

Stenandrium,  145 

Stevia,  134 

Stigmaphyllum,  151 

Stocks,  77 

Streptocarpus,  134 

Streptosolon,  131 

Strobilanthus,  145 

Sweet  alyssum,  123 

Sweet  bay,  143 

Sword  fern,  120 


Thrinax,  in 
Thunbergia,  151 
Tillandsia,  104 
Torenia,  152 
Tradescantia,  152 
Tropaeolum,  153 
Trumpet   flower,  126 
Tuberous  begonia,  69 


i64 


1XDEX 


Tulips,  155 
Tydea,  129 


U 


Umbrella  plant,  146 


V 

Vallota,  90 

Verbena,  152 
Veronica,  134 
Verschaffeltia,  no 
Viburnum,  134 
Vinca,  135,  152 
Violet,  157 


W 

Wallflower,  77 
Wandering  Jew,  152 
Washingtonia,  1 1 1 
Wax  flower,  150 
Wax  palm,  no 


Yucca,  92 


Zamia,  116 
Zehneria,  151 
Zephyranthes,  92 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOI9-URBANA 


3  0112  051870035 


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